Harbhajan Singh blames Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir for Jasprit Bumrah’s injury during BGT

As India prepares for the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, their biggest worry is the fitness of ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who picked up a back spasm during the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

India’s premier pace bowler is now doubtful for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With the marquee tournament set to begin on February 19, the uncertainty surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s participation has sent shockwaves through the Indian cricket fraternity.

Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness scare ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Bumrah’s stellar performance in the five-match Test series, where he claimed 32 wickets in just nine innings, and his absence in the New Year’s Test at the SCG, where India suffered a six-wicket defeat against Australia, highlighted the dependence of the Indian cricket team on the seamer.

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Indian pacer’s relentless workload, including over 150 overs bowled in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, left him unavailable during the second innings of the Sydney Test, and now his availability for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is under uncertainty.

Harbhajan Singh slams Team India for overburdening Jasprit Bumrah

Reacting to the setback, the former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has slammed the Indian cricket team management, accusing them of over-relying on Jasprit Bumrah in every key moment. Harbhajan highlighted how the pacer was overburdened, leading to his physical breakdown, which could now jeopardize India’s chances in the Champions Trophy 2025.

Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube channel, “He was used like you squeezed juice from sugarcane. It was like, ‘Travis Head has come; give the ball to Bumrah. Marnus has come; give the ball to Bumrah. Steve Smith has come; give the ball to Bumrah.’ How many overs will Bumrah bowl?”

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He added, “He has been reduced to such a condition that he was not available at the end. If he had been there, Australia may have won the fifth Test, but they would have lost eight wickets; it would have been tough for them. You broke his back, and the management should have decided on how many overs he should be given.”

Team India awaits clarity on Jasprit Bumrah's injury status

Notably, Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the upcoming white-ball series against England and the Champions Trophy 2025 remains uncertain as the extent of his back injury is yet to be determined. If the injury is mild (Grade 1), Bumrah might need two to three weeks to recover and return to action.

However, a Grade 2 injury could require up to six weeks of rehabilitation. In the worst-case scenario, a Grade 3 injury could sideline the star pacer for three months, ruling him out of the tournament. The Indian cricket team management is closely monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile, the former World Cup winner has criticized India's team selection for the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the SCG. Harbhajan Singh expressed frustration over the decision to play two spinners, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, on a green, pace-friendly pitch.

The former Indian spinner said that the selection misfire added to India's woes. He said, “It is beyond my understanding that despite playing so much cricket and watching so much cricket, you do not understand such a small thing… what to do on such a pitch.”