ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Jasprit Bumrah's absence coined irrelevant by BCCI

The India National Cricket Team is heading into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a strong squad, and BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said that the national selectors picked the squad that is capable of lifting the trophy. However, missing the world-class pacer Jasprit Bumrah could still shake up India’s plans.

With his lethal yorkers and ability to deliver in crunch moments in any conditions, Jasprit Bumrah has been a match-winner for the India National Cricket Team across the format. His absence means India will have to rely on their bench strength, but it would be interesting to see if they can step up and fill the void left by one of the best bowlers in the world, Bumrah.

Devajit Saikia says India can win the ICC Champions Trophy without Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah was ruled out of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a back injury, and Harshit Rana has been named as his replacement by overlooking Mohammed Siraj along with the in-form spinner Varun Chakravarthy in India’s updated squad.

Read Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India to lose because of Jasprit Bumrah? Dilip Vengsarkar's stunning verdict

In the mega event, Mohammed Shami will lead India’s pace attack, featuring the young guns Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

Reacting to the impact of Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, the BCCI secretary has boldly said that the premier pacer’s absence can’t hamper the Men in Blue’s chances to win the Champions Trophy. Saikia believes that the Indian cricket team has the firepower to go all the way.

Bumrah's absence will have any major issue with the team combination: BCCI secretary

Devajit Saikia was quoted as saying by IANS, “We have picked the best team for the Champions Trophy. And I believe we will win the trophy. India has such a big bench strength, and I don't think it (Jasprit Bumrah's absence) will have any major issue with the team combination.”

With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in form after a lot of scrutiny over their poor form, India heads into the Champions Trophy with confidence. Rohit made a comeback with a stunning century in the second ODI, while Kohli struck the crucial half-century in the final ODI against England to announce their arrival to the form ahead of the prestigious tournament.

The BCCI secretary feels Virat and Rohit’s return to their form is a very positive sign for India, and the way the Men in Blue crushed England in the recent white-ball series, they look to bring the cup home, and the conditions in Dubai will help them to realize their dream.

Read Also: India's current domestic cricket King openly attacks BCCI and selectors for always ignoring him

India’s Champions Trophy hopes soar as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to form

Saikia signed off by saying, “Everything is very positive in the team (Rohit and Virat back in form); see the England series; the results are in front of you. The conditions will be more or less the same in Dubai, like the Indian conditions. India came out in such a good manner against England with a series of whitewash in ODIs and a 4-1 win in T20Is. The morale and spirit of the team is at the highest level.”

Notably, the Men in Blue will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, and then they will face their archrivals Pakistan in the biggest clash of the tournament on February 23. They will play their final group match against New Zealand on March 2.