India’s star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy after failing to recover from a lower back injury, dealing a significant blow to the team’s campaign, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) announced on Tuesday.
Bumrah, the highest wicket-taker in the recent Test series with Australia, which India lost 3-1, had back spasms during the final Test in Sydney last month, which also ruled him out of a five-match T20 international series with England.
His absence will be a major blow to India, with the 31-year-old widely considered one of the best all-format fast bowlers in the sport.
"Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury. The men’s selection committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah’s replacement," the BCCI said in a statement.
Rana has played two ODIs, both of which came against England this month, picking up four wickets.
The BCCI added that spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who took 14 wickets in a five-match Twenty20 series against England in January and February, would replace batter Yashasvi Jaiswal.
India are in Group A in the Champions Trophy and meet Bangladesh in Dubai on 20 February, before taking on defending champions and rivals Pakistan and ending their group campaign against New Zealand.
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