Ajit Agarkar on Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for Champions Trophy -‘Hoping he will be fit’

Jasprit Bumrah suffered back spasms after a heavy workload series, forcing him to depart the Sydney Test match against Australia halfway through the second innings. Even though India ultimately lost that match and the series 3-1, Bumrah was named Player of the Series for his outstanding effort, bowling 151.2 overs and taking 32 wickets at an average of 13.06.

India’s 15-man team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which begins February 19 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, was revealed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). After being selected in India’s roaster for the coveted competition, depending to fitness, the much anticipated question of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s availability was resolved.

However, questions over his fitness came up, with recent media reports indicating that he was given bed rest advice after returning from Australia. Rejecting these allegations as “fake,” Jasprit Bumrah will begin his recuperation at Bengaluru’s National Cricket Academy (NCA).

The selectors have made Jasprit Bumrah Champions Trophy inclusion subject to his fitness in order to guarantee his availability.

Although the pacer has no backup in the Champions Trophy team, Harshit Rana has been selected as his cover for the England series. Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, shared his thoughts on Bumrah’s availability for the competition.

“With Bumrah, we are waiting to hear about his fitness and when he’s likely to be available,” Agarkar stated in Mumbai as he unveiled the Indian teams for the Champions Trophy and the England series. “Based on what we’ve learnt so far, I don’t believe that [Bumrah] will be fit for the opening two games [of the England series] at this time. We should have additional information regarding his fitness within the next week or so.

According to reports, the bowler will play in the third ODI against England in Ahmedabad on February 12 to demonstrate his match fitness. Jasprit Bumrah will not be available for the first two 50-over matches of the England series, hence Harshit Rana will be his backup.

“I know he was asked to offload for five weeks of bowling, which is early first week February if I’m not wrong,” Agarkar stated. Around that time, we’ll likely learn more about his medical condition in the precise details. I have no doubt that BCCI will release something directly from the physiotherapist. The medical department’s explanation is preferable to my attempt to pinpoint his exact condition. However, we have been informed of that time frame. And after that, hopefully, he’s alright.”

India’s Champions Trophy team appears to be strong despite fitness issues. Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh make up the fast-bowling group; Shami is back following surgery on his left Achilles tendon.

While Kuldeep Yadav is the only specialist spinner, all-rounders like Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja will provide depth in both batting and bowling. Yashasvi Jaiswal, vice-captain Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul have also been added to the top order by the selectors.