India’s cricket squad for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has faced significant changes due to injury concerns, particularly with superstar fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah being ruled out due to a lower back injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed this decision on February 11, shaking up the dynamics of the Indian pace attack just days before the highly anticipated tournament, which is set to commence on February 19, 2025, across venues in Pakistan and Dubai.
Bumrah, who sustained the injury during last month’s final Test against Australia, was under observation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, but unfortunately for Indian cricket fans, his comeback did not materialize. The severity of his condition left the selection committee with no choice but to seek replacements, and the relatively inexperienced yet promising Harshit Rana has been named as Bumrah’s substitute.
“Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah’s replacement,” the BCCI stated officially.
Rana, who has been making waves with his performances at the domestic level, especially during the recent matches against England, was acknowledged for his bowling skills and ability to cope under pressure. His inclusion aims to fill the gap left by Bumrah, who has been acknowledged as one of the best bowlers globally, having excelled across formats.
Alongside this change, spinner Varun Chakaravarthy will also join the squad, taking the place of Yashasvi Jaiswal. Chakaravarthy’s selection stems from his impressive performances during the recent T20 series, which displayed his potential as a significant asset to the team’s bowling lineup.
“Team India have also named Varun Chakaravarthy in the squad. The spinner will replace Yashasvi Jaiswal who was initially named in the provisional squad,” added the BCCI.
The alterations are notable, especially considering Bumrah’s pivotal role during India's past tournaments. His outstanding performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup—where he took 15 wickets at an average of 8.26—had solidified his name among cricket's elite. Historically, Bumrah has performed admirably under pressure, exemplified during the 2023 One Day International World Cup and throughout various series.
With Bumrah's absence confirmed, team captain Rohit Sharma and the rest of the squad must look to adapt quickly, regaining their focus and strategy without their ace bowler. Fortunately, the squad still possesses experienced individuals like Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja, providing stability as the team prepares for the tournament.
The full squad announced for India’s Champions Trophy campaign includes:
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- Shubman Gill (Vice-captain)
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
- Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Harshit Rana
- Mohammad Shami
- Arshdeep Singh
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Varun Chakaravarthy
Further, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammad Siraj, and Shivam Dube will serve as non-travelling substitutes, ready to join the squad if required.
Beyond the immediate impact of player changes, India's chances for the Champions Trophy might hinge on how effectively the new entrants can rise to the occasion. Given the challenging competition—India will face off against strong teams like Bangladesh and rival Pakistan—the spotlight will be on the cohesion of the squad and their adaptability without Bumrah.
With the tournament around the corner, all eyes will be on how well India organizes themselves in the face of adversity. The team does have the pedigree to cope with such challenges and emerge victorious, but such replacements often bring with them both uncertainty and opportunity. The true test will undoubtedly be seeing how Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy integrate with the remaining core of the squad as they collectively strive for ICC glory once again.