ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Indian team ready to take the risk for Jasprit Bumrah?

Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is preparing to begin his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, as he works towards recovery from a back injury. According to a report from the Times of India, the 31-year-old pacer recently underwent a series of scans to assess the extent of his injury. These scans were conducted under the close supervision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team, who have been monitoring his condition since the injury occurred. After carefully analyzing the results of these scans, the medical team has decided on a cautious approach to Bumrah's rehabilitation.

Jasprit Bumrah to be picked in India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

As part of his recovery process, Bumrah is set to gradually resume physical activities, starting with light exercises and gym workouts. These activities are designed to help him rebuild his strength without putting undue stress on his injured back. In the next 24 to 48 hours, he is also expected to begin light bowling sessions, allowing him to regain some of the fitness and rhythm that he had before the injury. This period of rehabilitation marks an important phase in Bumrah's return to competitive cricket. Given his crucial role as a key player for the Indian national team, both the BCCI and Bumrah himself are taking all necessary steps to ensure his full recovery. The 31-year-old pacer’s return will be eagerly awaited by fans and selectors alike, as he is an integral part of India's fast-bowling attack.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is adopting a cautious approach to Jasprit Bumrah's return, carefully monitoring his progress before making any decisions regarding his participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to begin on February 19. The pacer’s rehabilitation process will be closely assessed, and his readiness to play will depend on how well he recovers from his back injury.

With the Champions Trophy fast approaching, the BCCI has until February 11 to make changes to its provisional squad, which allows them the flexibility to adjust the lineup if necessary. Bumrah’s participation remains uncertain, as his fitness will be evaluated over the next few days. The decision will be based on his recovery and fitness levels, ensuring that he is fully prepared before making a return to international cricket for the prestigious tournament.

“Even if there is a 1% chance, the BCCI is likely to wait. They did the same with Hardik Pandya as they waited for close to two weeks before getting Prasidh Krishna as a replacement. Even when Shubman Gill was down with dengue, they didn’t have any thoughts of looking for a replacement. Yes those two incidents happened during the campaign but approach with Bumrah could well be no different. This is just the deadline to submit the squad and they could approach the Event Technical Committee at a later stage to seek a replacement if he fails to regain fitness,” stated a source in a conversation with Times of India. 

Jasprit Bumrah had an impressive outing in India’s recent series against Australia, featuring in all five Tests and taking a total of 32 wickets. His performance was a key factor in India’s strong showing in the series. However, during the final Test in Sydney, Bumrah experienced a setback when he suffered a back spasm, which prevented him from bowling in the second innings. This injury raised concerns about his fitness, and upon his return to India, he was advised by the medical team to rest for five weeks to allow his body to recover.

Bumrah’s last appearance in One-Day International cricket was in the World Cup 2023 final against Australia in Ahmedabad on November 19. During this high-pressure match, he took two crucial wickets, contributing significantly to India’s bowling attack. This was a memorable performance in a crucial game, though unfortunately, India did not clinch the title.

His most recent white-ball appearance came in the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa in Barbados on June 29, where he featured in India’s bid for the global title. With Bumrah's history of strong performances in both formats, his absence due to injury has been keenly felt, and the cricketing world eagerly awaits his full recovery and return to action, especially with major tournaments on the horizon.