Jasprit Bumrah, the star Indian pacer is unlikely to be fit and be 100 percent for the Champions Trophy 2025. He picked up a back injury in the final Test against Australia in Sydney and since then has been out of the game.
Bumrah bowled nearly 150 overs in the Test series and picked up a lower back injury in the SCG Test match. He did not bowl on day three of the Test match as well with the Aussies chasing down the total.
The Indian pacer has been in touch with Dr. Rowan Schouten in New Zealand and is also scheduled to visit the country for treatment ahead of the Champions Trophy. However, it is very unlikely that will be 100 percent fit for the ICC event which actually requires a miracle.
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Jasprit Bumrah To Consult Dr. Rowan Schouten in New Zealand
Meanwhile, the BCCI are keeping Harhit Rana and Mohammed Siraj as backup options if Bumrah is eventually ruled out of the tournament. The BCCI announced India's Champions Trophy squad on January 18. They can make changes to that squad till February 13.
"The BCCI medical team is in touch with Schouten in New Zealand. The board had also planned a visit for Bumrah to New Zealand. But that hasn't happened yet. The selectors know it will be a miracle if Bumrah turns up 100% fit in the given timeline," a BCCI source told TOI.
Harshit Rana is already a part of the Indian ODI side announced for the three-match series against England. Meanwhile, Dr. Schouten was the one who operated on Bumrah after the latter incurred an injury that saw him miss the 2022 T20 World Cup.
"The reports will be shared with his doctor in New Zealand. Sending Bumrah to New Zealand will depend on the feedback. The board and Bumrah himself are not willing to push hard given his significance over a long period of time. The selectors will only be informed if he is ready to take the field after the entire process is complete. The selectors will need to keep a backup plan ready for him. It will be a miracle if Bumrah makes it," the report quoted a source as saying.
The Indian pacer as of now has been asked to not do any rigorous physical exercise which might delay his progress. India begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. They then take on Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2. As part of the hybrid model, India will play all their league matches in Dubai and also the final in Dubai if they make it.
