Jasprit Bumrah begins rehabilitation at NCA after Champions Trophy exclusion
What's the story
India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has commenced his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru after being ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a lower back injury. Meanwhile, Bumrah suffered the injury during the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney, after which he refrained from bowling in the second innings. Here's more.
Squad adjustment
Bumrah's injury prompts squad change for Champions Trophy
Despite chief selector Ajit Agarkar's initial hopes that Bumrah would recover in time for the third ODI against England, his fitness levels weren't up to the mark. This prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to name Harshit Rana as his replacement for the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, Bumrah gave a glimpse of his NCA training session on his Instagram handle with the caption "Rebuilding," indicating his resolve to return stronger.
Impact analysis
Bumrah's absence from Champions Trophy a significant loss
Bumrah's absence from the Champions Trophy is a huge loss for India, considering his recent form across formats. He was instrumental in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, taking 15 wickets from eight matches, and winning the Player of the Tournament award. Bumrah was honored with the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award after claiming 71 Test wickets in 2024. He also secured the ICC Cricketer of the Year title for his outstanding performances across both Tests and T20Is.
New leadership
Shami to lead Indian pace attack in Bumrah's absence
With Bumrah out, the onus of spearheading India's pace attack now lies on Mohammed Shami. This comes as Shami recently marked his return to international cricket after a prolonged injury layoff. Meanwhile, the setback is a major blow for India ahead of the Champions Trophy, a tournament they have previously won twice, in 2002 and 2013.
Injury history
Bumrah's unique action and history of back issues
Bumrah's unorthodox bowling action has been his biggest weapon and the biggest strain on his back, throughout his career. In September 2019, he was diagnosed with a "minor stress fracture in his lower back" and was out for about three months. In 2022, he was forced to miss the Asia Cup in August-September, followed by the T20 World Cup, due to required surgery and recovery.
Refusal
Why Ajit Agarkar refrained from including Jasprit Bumrah
As mentioned, Bumrah has been ruled out of the upcoming Champions Trophy over fitness concerns. Although his medical reports indicated successful rehabilitation, the NCA in Bengaluru couldn't confirm his match readiness for the tournament. Meanwhile, the final call was left to chief selector Ajit Agarkar who decided against including Bumrah in the squad. Although the NCA report deemed Bumrah fit, the uncertainty of his bowling fitness by the tournament start date led to his exclusion from the squad.
Stats
A look at the star pacer's ODI numbers
Across 89 ODIs, Bumrah has bagged 149 scalps at an average of 23.55. Additionally, across 88 innings he boasts an economy rate of 4.59. The pacer also owns six four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls alongside his best bowling innings of 6/19. Meanwhile, Bumrah was also the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he claimed 20 scalps at 18.65 (ER: 4.06).