Jasprit Bumrah Ruled Out of Champions Trophy Despite Successful Rehab and Clear Scans – Here’s Why

Published on: February 12, 2025

Jasprit Bumrah Ruled Out of Champions Trophy Despite Successful Rehab

India’s premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to concerns over his fitness. Despite undergoing a successful rehabilitation program and having clear scan reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided not to risk his participation in the tournament. Harshit Rana has been named as his replacement for the marquee event, which is set to commence on February 19 in Pakistan.

This decision was made after a crucial meeting in Ahmedabad between chief selector Ajit Agarkar, newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, and captain Rohit Sharma. The three deliberated on whether to gamble on an unfit Bumrah or opt for an inexperienced pacer like Harshit Rana. Eventually, the selectors decided not to take any risks, given the high stakes of the tournament.

Selectors Prioritize Fitness Over Reputation

Bumrah, who had undergone lower back surgery in 2022, suffered another stress-related injury during the final Test against Australia in Sydney. He had bowled just 10 overs in the first innings before withdrawing from the match due to discomfort. This raised concerns about his fitness levels ahead of the Champions Trophy, despite his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

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According to NCA head Nitin Patel, Bumrah was asked to offload for five weeks, followed by a structured rehabilitation program under the supervision of strength & conditioning trainer Rajnikanth and physio Thulasi. While the scan reports appeared to be clear, the selectors were informed that it was uncertain whether Bumrah would be fit enough to bowl at full intensity by the start of the tournament.

A senior BCCI source stated:
“The report sent by Nitin Patel clearly stated that while Bumrah has completed his rehabilitation and his scan reports seemed fine, it couldn’t be concluded with certainty that he would be match-ready for the tournament. Hence, the selectors didn’t take any risks.”

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Bumrah’s History of Injury Concerns

Bumrah’s career has been plagued by recurring lower back injuries, which have kept him sidelined for extended periods. The selectors and the medical team recalled the mistake made in 2022, when Bumrah was rushed back for a bilateral series against Australia ahead of the T20 World Cup. He broke down again and ended up missing almost a year of cricket.

This previous error weighed heavily on the minds of the current selection committee, as Ajit Agarkar did not want to repeat the mistake made by his predecessor Chetan Sharma. The risk of including Bumrah in the squad without full medical clearance was deemed too high, especially in a prestigious ICC event like the Champions Trophy.

A BCCI official further explained the rationale behind this decision:
“The stakes are too high, and it would have been a complete embarrassment if Bumrah had broken down in the middle of a match. The NCA, under Nitin Patel’s leadership, learned from past mistakes and did not want to push him prematurely like in 2022. Agarkar was unwilling to take any chances.”

With the IPL and a crucial Test series in England coming up later in 2025, the selectors believed it would be wiser for Bumrah to return to competitive cricket through the Indian Premier League (IPL) before making a comeback in international cricket.

Harshit Rana Named as Bumrah’s Replacement

The selection committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah’s replacement for the Champions Trophy. The young pacer, who has impressed with his performances in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is set to make his ICC tournament debut.

Although Rana lacks international experience, the selectors and team management believe he has the raw pace and temperament to perform under pressure. His inclusion aligns with head coach Gautam Gambhir’s vision, as he has closely worked with Rana during his stint as KKR’s mentor.

Varun Chakaravarthy Also Drafted into the Squad

Another surprise inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad is Varun Chakaravarthy, the mystery spinner who replaces Yashasvi Jaiswal. The decision to drop the young opener comes as a tactical move, given that India already has a settled opening pair in Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.

Chakaravarthy, who has been a standout performer in T20 cricket, earned his ODI debut in Cuttack based on his impressive form in the shorter format. Gautam Gambhir is a strong advocate for Chakaravarthy’s inclusion, and it is believed that the KKR coach-turned-India-head-coach played a significant role in getting him into the squad.

Notably, two of Gambhir’s recommendations – Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy – have made it into the final squad, further reinforcing his influence in shaping the team’s composition.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube, and Mohammed Siraj Among Non-Travelling Reserves

With Chakaravarthy taking Jaiswal’s spot, the young batter has been placed in the non-traveling reserves. He will be joined by Shivam Dube and Mohammed Siraj, who are considered as like-for-like backups for Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami, respectively.

Although Jaiswal has been in good form, the presence of senior openers meant he was unlikely to feature in the playing XI. The selectors felt that having an additional mystery spinner would provide more variety in the attack, especially on UAE pitches, where the hybrid model of the tournament dictates that all of India’s matches will be played in Dubai.

India’s Squad for Champions Trophy 2025

The BCCI officially announced the 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy, along with the list of reserves.

Final 15-Member Squad:
• Rohit Sharma (Captain)
• Shubman Gill (Vice-captain)
• Virat Kohli
• Shreyas Iyer
• KL Rahul (WK)
• Rishabh Pant (WK)
• Hardik Pandya
• Axar Patel
• Washington Sundar
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Harshit Rana
• Mohammed Shami
• Arshdeep Singh
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Varun Chakaravarthy

Non-Travelling Reserves:
• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• Shivam Dube
• Mohammed Siraj

Key Takeaways from the Selection Process

1. Bumrah’s Exclusion Based on Medical Advice – Despite undergoing rehabilitation and having clear scans, selectors did not want to risk picking him without full medical clearance.
2. Learning from Past Mistakes – The 2022 T20 World Cup debacle, where Bumrah was rushed back prematurely, influenced this decision.
3. Rise of Harshit Rana – The young pacer gets his first big break on the international stage, backed by Gautam Gambhir.
4. Varun Chakaravarthy’s Inclusion – The mystery spinner’s selection suggests India will rely on spin-heavy tactics in Dubai.
5. Jaiswal’s Omission a Tactical Move – With Rohit and Gill as first-choice openers, India prioritized an extra spinner over a backup opener.
6. Hybrid Model Tournament – While the Champions Trophy is hosted by Pakistan, all of India’s matches will be played in Dubai due to political reasons.

Looking Ahead: India’s Champions Trophy Campaign

India will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh in Dubai. The squad is a mix of experienced stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Mohammed Shami, alongside fresh faces like Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy.

While Bumrah’s absence is a major blow, the team management is confident in their selected bowling attack, led by Shami, Arshdeep, and Rana. With a strong batting lineup and a balanced spin department, India will be aiming to lift their third ICC Champions Trophy, having previously won the tournament in 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka) and 2013 (under MS Dhoni’s captaincy).

As the countdown to February 19 begins, all eyes will be on how Team India adapts to the conditions in Dubai and whether this squad can deliver on the big stage.