Key points
- Bumrah sidelined due to back injury
- India adds Varun Chakaravarthy to their roster
- Pakistan set to host ICC Champions Trophy 2025
ISLAMABAD: The Indian selection committee has chosen bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana to replace pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 to March 9.
Team India has added spinner Varun Chakaravarthy to their roster, following his superb performance in the five-match T20I series against England.
Chakaravarthy, who was a last-minute addition to the ODI squad against England, steps in for Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was initially included in the provisional lineup, as announced by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia.
India faces a significant blow with the news that Jasprit Bumrah will be sidelined due to a back injury sustained while captaining the team during the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Sydney.
Bumrah shone as India’s leading bowler in Australia, consistently troubling batsmen with his exceptional control and aggressive style.
Challenge for India
His absence poses a major challenge for India as they prepare for the Champions Trophy, where the matches are set to unfold in Dubai. Bumrah played a pivotal role in India’s success at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, making his loss all the more impactful as the team aims to shine in the upcoming tournament, scheduled to take place in Pakistan and the UAE starting February 19.
Stepping up to replace Bumrah is Harshit Rana, who made a remarkable debut for India in the recent ODI series against England.
He also showcased his talent by claiming three wickets during his T20I debut as a concussion substitute against the same opponents.
In Bumrah’s absence, the bowling attack will be led by Mohammed Shami, while Arshdeep and
Harshit Rana vie for the remaining pace bowling positions. The competition for the spinner’s role will see Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy battling it out, alongside spin-bowling all-rounders Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja.
Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
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, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
