Overview

• Jasprit Bumrah, recovering from a lower back injury sustained during the Sydney Test in January, has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy starting February 19.
• The BCCI confirmed Harshit Rana as Bumrah's replacement, while spinner Varun Chakravarthy replaces Yashasvi Jaiswal in the squad.
• Bumrah's absence is a significant blow for India, as he was pivotal in recent performances, including taking 32 wickets in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and excelling in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
• India's decision to exclude Bumrah was influenced by concerns over his match fitness, with selectors opting to avoid the risk of him breaking down during the tournament.
• India will play all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai, starting against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by games against Pakistan and New Zealand.