As India prepare for the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025, their biggest concern is the fitness of ace Jasprit Bumrah, who suffered a back spasm during the fifth and final Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
India’s top bowler is now in doubt for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With the main tournament set to begin on February 19, the uncertainty surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s participation has sent shockwaves through the Indian cricket fraternity.
Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness scare ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Bumrah’s brilliant performance in the five-match Test series, where he took 32 wickets in just nine innings, and his absence in the New Year’s Test at the SCG, where India suffered a six-wicket defeat against Australia, highlighted the dependence of the Indian cricket team on the seamer.
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The Indian pacer’s relentless workload, including more than 150 overs scored in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, made him unavailable for the second innings of the Sydney Test and now his availability for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is uncertain.
Harbhajan Singh criticizes the Indian team for overworking Jasprit Bumrah
Reacting to the setback, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh lashed out at the management of the Indian cricket team, accusing them of over-reliance on Jasprit Bumrah at every crucial moment. Harbhajan pointed out that the pacer was overworked, which led to his physical breakdown, which could now threaten India’s chances for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube channel, “It was used like you squeeze juice from sugarcane. It was like, ‘Travis Head is here; give the ball to Bumrah. Marnus came; give the ball to Bumrah. Steve Smith arrived; give the ball to Bumrah.’ How many overs will Bumrah bowl?”
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He added: “He was put in such a state that he was not available in the end. Had he been there, Australia might have won the fifth Test but would have lost eight wickets; it would be difficult for them. You broke his back, and the management should have decided how many overs to give him.”
Team India is awaiting clarification on Jasprit Bumrah’s injury status
Namely, Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the upcoming series against England and the 2025 Champions Trophy remains uncertain as the extent of his back injury is yet to be determined. If the injury is mild (grade 1), Bumrah may need two to three weeks to recover and return to action.
However, a grade 2 injury may require up to six weeks of rehabilitation. At worst, a Grade 3 injury could sideline the star pacer for three months, knocking him out of the tournament. The Indian cricket team management is closely monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, the former World Cup winner criticized the selection of the Indian squad for the fifth Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. in SCG. Harbhajan Singh expressed his frustration at the decision to play two spinners, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, on a green, pace-friendly pitch.
The former Indian spinner said the selection failure added to India’s woes. He said: “It is beyond my comprehension that despite playing so much cricket and watching so much cricket, you don’t understand such a small thing… what to do on a pitch like that.”
