Ajit Agarkar ruled out Jasprit Bumrah out of ICC Champions Trophy 2025 despite being fit

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a lower back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named Harshit Rana as his replacement in the squad for the ICC tournament.

Bumrah’s absence is a significant setback for India in the Champions Trophy, which is set to commence on February 19. He was named in the provisional squad but failed to recover in time to make it to the final squad. Bumrah recently underwent scans at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

Jasprit Bumrah Replaced by Harshit Rana in India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Squad

According to the latest report by PTI, Jasprit Bumrah had completed his rehabilitation, and his scans showed no issues. However, it was uncertain if he would be fit to bowl at full intensity before the Champions Trophy.

The final decision was made by Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who chose not to risk him. Bumrah was replaced by Harshit Rana in the final squad for the eight-team tournament.

"Bumrah was asked to off-load for five weeks after which his rehabilitation at NCA happened under strength & conditioning trainer Rajnikanth and physio Thulasi," a top BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Jasprit Bumrah Completes Rehabilitation, Scan Reports Clear

The official also stated that the National Cricket Academy head, Nitin Patel, did not confirm Bumrah’s match fitness as he had not bowled in match simulations. The report added that the selection committee did not want to take chances with an untested player, as they didn’t want to rush his return.

"The report sent by NCA head Nitin Patel clearly states that while he has completed his rehabilitation and scan reports seemed to be okay, it couldn't be concluded whether he would be bowling fit by the time the tournament starts. Hence the selectors didn't take any risk.

"Nitin left the ball in Ajit's (chief selector Agarkar) court and hence no one would want to stick their necks out and take the risk of putting an unfit player in squad. If medical team doesn't green-light fully, how can the selection committee take that risk," the official said.

Ajit Agarkar and Selection Committee Avoid Taking a Risk

Jasprit Bumrah was rushed back for a series against Australia despite not being fully fit during former chief selector Chetan Sharma’s tenure. Bumrah had to undergo surgery and was out of action for a year. Ajit Agarkar and the current selection committee decided not to take such a risk this time.

"The stakes are too high and it would have been a complete embarrassment had Bumrah broken down in a match. The NCA led by Nitin Patel had once burnt their hands in 2022 when they pushed Bumrah for the bilateral series against Australia before the T20 World Cup, and he broke down to be out for one year. That was Chetan Sharma's committee and so Agarkar didn't want to take a chance," he concluded.

Bumrah hasn't played for India in ODI cricket since the World Cup 2023 final against Australia, where the hosts suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023. He took two wickets but couldn't help India secure a win over Australia in the final.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025- Jasprit Bumrah, Yashasvi Jaiswal out as India name revised squad