As India prepare for the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025, their biggest concern is the fitness of ace-pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who suffered a back spasm during the fifth and final Test of the Trophy Border-Gavaskar 2024-25 v Australia at Sydney. Cricket Ground (SCG).
India's top bowler is now doubtful for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With the marquee 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 stellar performance in the five-match Test series, where he claimed 32 wickets in just nine innings, and his absence in the New Year Test at the SCG, where India suffered a six-wicket defeat against Australia, highlighted dependence of the Indian. cricket team on seam.
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The Indian pacer's tireless workload, including over 150 overs played in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, left him unavailable during the second innings of the Sydney Test, and now his availability for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is under uncertainty.
Harbhajan Singh criticizes Team India for overloading Jasprit Bumrah
Reacting to the setback, former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh slammed the management of the Indian cricket team, accusing them of relying too much on Jasprit Bumrah at every key moment. Harbhajan highlighted how the pacer was overworked, leading to a physical breakdown, which could now jeopardize India's chances at the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube channel, “It was used like squeezing juice from sugarcane. It was like, “Travis Head came; gives the ball to Bumrah. Marnus came; gives the ball to Bumrah. Steve Smith came; gives the ball to Bumrah. How many overs will Bumrah bowl?”
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He added: “He was reduced to such a condition that he was not available at the end. Had he been there, Australia would have won the fifth Test but lost eight wickets; it would have been hard for them. You broke his back and the management should have decided how many overs he should have been given.”
Team India is awaiting clarity on Jasprit Bumrah's injury status
Notably, Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the upcoming white-ball series against England and the 2025 Champions Trophy remains uncertain as the extent of his back injury is yet to be ascertained. 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 could require up to six weeks of rehabilitation. At worst, a Grade 3 injury could sideline the star for three months, ruling him out of the tournament. The Indian cricket team management is closely monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, the former World Cup winner criticized India's team selection for the fifth Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the SCG. Harbhajan Singh expressed his frustration over the decision to play two spinners, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, on a green, pace-friendly pitch.
The former Indian spinner said missing out on selection added to India's woes. He said: “I don't understand 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 this.”