India suffer Bumrah blow

The pacer has been advised to report at NCA in Bengaluru

India's ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the group-stage matches of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 due to a suspected back injury, Indian media reported on Sunday.

According to the reports, Bumrah is suffering from a swollen back and the selectors, who met in Mumbai on Saturday to shortlist India's squad for the eight-team tournament, have also been updated on the pacer's fitness. The right-arm pacer has been advised to report to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where his fitness and recovery process will be closely monitored.

As a result, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly asked International Cricket Council (ICC) for an extension to announce their squad, the cut-off date for which, however, is Sunday.

The 31-year-old sustained the potential injury during India's recent five-match away Test series against Australia, during which, he bowled a total of 151.2 overs across five Tests, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 32 scalps at an impressive average of 13.06, which included three five-wicket hauls. The right-arm pacer, however, could not bowl in the second innings of the fifth Test and has been subsequently rested from India's upcoming T20I series against England. A source close to the BCCI, as quoted by Indian media, shared that Jasprit Bumrah will not be 'rushed' into India's squad for the Champions Trophy even if he attains complete fitness at the NCA.

"He (Bumrah) will be going to NCA for his rehabilitation. The initial report says he doesn't have a fracture but has swelling on his back. So, the NCA will monitor his recovery and he will be there for three weeks. But even after that, he will have to play a match or two, even if they are practice games organised to check his match fitness," stated the source, as quoted by The Indian Express. The source further revealed that Bumrah is anticipated to be completely fit by the first week of March, while former champions India are scheduled to play their last group-stage fixture on March 2 against New Zealand.