Who Will Replace Jasprit Bumrah If He Is Not Fit To Play Champions Trophy? IPL Winner Emerges Top Contender: Report

With the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy around the corner, Team India are facing a crucial decision regarding star pacer Jasprit Bumrah's availability for the marquee tournament.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the team management are set to make a final call on February 11, the deadline for submitting squad lists to the ICC.

Bumrah has been out of action since sustaining a back injury during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia last month in Sydney. The injury forced him to leave the field during the first innings, and he did not bowl in the second. Despite his absence in the latter half of the game, the 31-year-old finished the series as India's leading wicket-taker, setting a new record for most wickets (32) by an Indian bowler in an away Test series.

During last month's squad announcement, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had mentioned that Bumrah was advised to rest for five weeks, after which a reassessment of his fitness would be conducted. Although there were initial hopes of him returning for the third ODI against England on February 12, the BCCI later removed his name from the updated squad, raising further doubts about his recovery.

A report from ESPN Cricinfo has revealed that Bumrah suffered a stress reaction in his back. He recently underwent scans and is currently at the BCCI's National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, where medical staff are monitoring his condition.

The selectors face a tough choice: whether to include Bumrah in the squad despite uncertainties or opt for a replacement. If the pacer is deemed unfit for the initial matches but expected to recover later in the tournament, India may still retain him in the squad. However, if he is ruled out entirely, young pacer Harshit Rana is reportedly the frontrunner to take his place.

Rana, who made his international debut in the ongoing ODI series against England, has impressed with four wickets in two matches, albeit at an economy rate of 7.18.

Interestingly, Mohammed Siraj, who played a key role in India's ODI setup during the 2023 World Cup, has been overlooked for both the England series and the Champions Trophy squad despite Bumrah's injury. Siraj has an impressive ODI record with 71 wickets in 44 matches, making his exclusion a surprising decision.