Jasprit Bumrah suspense ends, India pace spearhead out of Champions Trophy as predicted by MyKhel

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So, the worst news, as predicted by MyKhel, is officially out: Jasprit Bumrah will not be playing in the Champions Trophy. It needed last-minute suspense like a cheap Bollywood thriller to tell the world BOOM is unfit. And yes, there is more to it than meets the eye vis a vis his rest, rehab recovery in coming weeks.

Since the time news broke out Bumrah had injured his back during the Sydney Test in the BBT Series, this writer had written a series of articles speaking to sports medicine doctors and physios and rehab experts who said Bumrah will be out for a long time.

That the BCCI wanted to delay the changes in the team at the 11th hour on the 11th night of February makes it clear they were hoping against hope BOOM would be fit. Sadly, there has been intense insensitivity from many, who thought Bumrah's back injury was just a spasm.

At his age, 31, and been overbowled and subjected to poor workload management, Bumrah has paid a big price. His back cannot be subjected to overload leading to a breakdown.

For all the callous media hacks and YouTube experts who said BOOM will be fit for the India versus Pakistan match in Dubai on Feburary 23, the time has come when they need to understand human physiology and sports science.

A fast bowler is subjected to intense wear and tear, across formats, as Bumrah has been flogged to death. He has been over-bowled and Indian cricket's mandarins treated him poorly. Nowhere was the workload management used diligently when compared with countries like Australia and England.

To be sure, it was well-known that Bumrah would never be fit for the Champions Trophy. And at what cost? Destroy his back and body for good. It is very clear the BCCI hoodwinked fans, treating them like fools.

From skipper Rohit Sharma to coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman selection committee Ajit Agakar, each one knew Bumrah was unfit. There were MRI scan reports which have been submitted to Bumrah's ortho surgeon in Auckland, New Zealand.

At the same time, the BCCI medical experts in Bengaluru are a joke. There are more cases of players injuries and rehab being botched rather than healed.

Now that Harshit Rana has come into the squad, India will be hoping the wickets in Dubai, low and slow, will aid the Indian spin masters. With Varun Chakravarthy also included, the spin attack looks potent.

The real problem lies with how unfit Mohd Shami is. He has played the ODIs against England but looked far from convincing. There can be none to replace Bumrah. There can be only one Bumrah, not a prototype. Sadly, Bumrah has been over-bowled in the BGT Series and before that as well.

It is near impossible the most talented and wicked bowler in the fast bowling domain can ever be replaced. India will need to handle Bumrah now with even more care. Obviously, Mumbai Indians will hope their mascot can play in the IPL 2025.

Ideally, Bumrah should be prepared for the Test series against England. For those who failed to read the writing on the wall, please for through the MyKhel archives on Bumrah. Also do check our Ravi Shastri's video on the ICC platform last week. He had made it clear, Bumrah cannot be rushed back. His words are prophetic!