Jasprit Bumrah doubtful for ICC Champions Trophy 2025? BCCI silently removes pacer from England ODIs

Jasprit Bumrah doubtful for ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

The suspense surrounding Jasprit Bumrah's fitness continues as BCCI announced an updated squad for the three-match ODI series against England, starting from Thursday. BCCI on Tuesday added spinner Varun Chakaravarthy to the squad but while doing so removed Bumrah entirely from the series. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had earlier expected the pacer to be fit for the third and final ODI when the initial squad was announced.

The fresh development has cast a dark shadow on Bumrah's participation in the much anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which gets underway from February 19. The board is yet to provide any update regarding the pacer's fitness or the reason behind his omission from the England series, which will act as a perfect dress rehearsal for the Champions Trophy. As per a report in Times of India, Bumrah is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and will only return to action after getting cleared by the physios there.

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Bumrah was India's main force in Down Under, spearheading the attack in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He, however, went down with back spasms during the fifth and final Test in Sydney.

What did Ajit Agarkar say?

Agarkar while announcing the provisional squad for the Champions Trophy did not give a clear answer regarding Bumrah's injury. He had then mentioned that the pacer was asked to "off-load for five weeks".

"Bumrah has been told to off-load for five weeks after and he won't be available for the first two ODIs against England. We are waiting on his fitness and will know his status in early February from the medical team. We'll probably find out a bit more around that time, what exactly, and with regards to what his medical condition is, I'm sure BCCI might just put something out, from the physio itself," Agarkar had said.

The squad for the Champions Trophy can be changed until February 11 and the management have a week to take a final call on the pacer's participation in the ICC tournament.