Jasprit Bumrah is absent from India’s squad for the England ODI series to allow recovery from a back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. While named in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad, Bumrah is expected to miss the initial matches, aiming to return for the tournament’s crucial stages.
Jasprit Bumrah: India’s 2024 Test Cricket Star
Jasprit Bumrah finished 2024 as India’s leading wicket-taker in Test cricket and played a pivotal role in India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in the West Indies and the USA. However, the star pacer has been excluded from the squad for the three-match ODI series against England, which begins on February 6.
India’s selectors announced the same 15-member squad for both the England ODI series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While Bumrah is part of the Champions Trophy lineup, he has been rested for the ODI series to manage his recovery from a back injury.
Why Is Jasprit Bumrah Missing the England ODI Series?
During the squad announcement, chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah will not feature in the ODI series against England. Harshit Rana has been named as his replacement. Agarkar also revealed that Bumrah is expected to miss the first two to three group-stage games of the Champions Trophy, as his availability depends on fitness updates from the BCCI medical team in early February.
“Currently, Bumrah is not in a position to play the first couple of games. We’re closely monitoring his recovery,” Agarkar stated.
Injury Update: Bumrah’s Recovery Timeline
Bumrah sustained a back injury during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Sydney. After bowling just one over post-lunch on Day 2, he left the field for scans and did not bowl in the second innings. India eventually lost the match by six wickets.
The team management has been cautious with Bumrah’s workload to ensure his fitness for critical matches in the Champions Trophy.
India’s Pace Attack for the Champions Trophy
Alongside Bumrah, India’s Champions Trophy pace attack features Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh, with Hardik Pandya serving as the third seam-bowling option. The England ODI series will be a crucial platform for the squad to finalize their combinations and prepare for the tournament in Duba