 "Champions Trophy 2025: Massive blow for India with Jasprit Bumrah set to miss group stage fixtures")
Team India suffered a major blow to their hopes of winning a second consecutive ICC event with senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah expected to miss the group stage of the Champions Trophy due to fitness concerns, sources told Firstpost. Bumrah, who has been having a hectic schedule since the 2023 ICC World Cup, had suffered a back spasm during the fifth match of the five-Test series against Australia, in which he had finished as the most successful bowler with 32 wickets at an average of 13.06.
Also Read | Players who could make India squad for Champions Trophy and those who may not
Though he batted on both occasions, the senior pacer could not bowl for a majority of the ‘New Year’s Test’ at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and doubts began to creep in over his participation in the subsequent limited-overs fixtures.
According to The Indian Express, Bumrah has a swelling on his back and is likely to report to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where the VVS Laxman-led team will monitor his recovery.
A BCCI source added that the Mumbai Indians pacer isn’t expected to be available until the first week of March. India face Bangladesh and defending champions Pakistan on 20 and 23 February respectively followed by New Zealand on 2 March in the group stage of the ICC Champions Trophy.
“He (Bumrah) will be going to NCA for his rehabilitation. The initial report says he doesn’t have a fracture but has swelling on his back. So the NCA will monitor his recovery and he will be there for three weeks. But even after that, he will have to play a match or two, even if they are practice games organised to check his match fitness,” the source told the newspaper.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsBumrah had been rested for the T20I series against England, in which the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee decided to include his long-time new-ball partner Mohammed Shami . And given the current situation with regards to his fitness, the 31-year-old is also expected to miss the three-match ODI series against Jos Buttler’s men that will be taking place between 6 to 12 February.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
