In a significant setback for the Indian cricket team, premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed this development, announcing that Harshit Rana will replace Bumrah in the squad.
This setback where Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy, is truly a considerable blow to India’s campaign, given his pivotal role in the bowling attack across all formats. The pacer had been experiencing back spasms since the final Test against Australia in Sydney last month, which also led to his exclusion from the recent white-ball series against England.
Harshit Rana, who made his One Day International (ODI) debut earlier this month against England, has been named as Bumrah’s replacement as Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy. In his two ODI appearances, Rana has showcased promising talent, claiming four wickets and demonstrating composure under pressure.
The BCCI also announced a change in the squad’s composition, with spinner Varun Chakaravarthy replacing batter Yashasvi Jaiswal. Chakaravarthy’s impressive performance in the recent T20 series against England, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker, earned him this spot.
India is placed in Group A for the Champions Trophy, alongside Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand. The team is set to commence its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. All of India’s group-stage matches will be held in Dubai, following a ‘hybrid’ hosting arrangement due to political considerations between India and Pakistan.
The updated Indian squad for the Champions Trophy includes:
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Rohit Sharma (captain)
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Shubman Gill (vice-captain)
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Virat Kohli
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KL Rahul (wicketkeeper)
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Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)
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Shreyas Iyer
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Hardik Pandya
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Ravindra Jadeja
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Axar Patel
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Washington Sundar
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Mohammed Shami
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Arshdeep Singh
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Kuldeep Yadav
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Varun Chakaravarthy
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Harshit Rana
The team management faces the challenge of restructuring the bowling lineup in Bumrah’s absence. The onus will be on experienced bowlers like Mohammed Shami and emerging talents such as Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana to deliver impactful performances.
Bumrah’s injury history is a concern, as this is the second major ICC tournament he will miss due to back issues; he was previously sidelined during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. The BCCI’s medical team will likely focus on his rehabilitation to ensure a full recovery and prevent future recurrences.
As the tournament approaches, fans and analysts will keenly observe how the Indian team adapts to these changes as of now Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of ICC Champions Trophy. The Champions Trophy presents an opportunity for new players to step up and for the team to demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity.
