3 Players Who Need To Step Up If Jasprit Bumrah Misses Champions Trophy 2025

Anurag Dasgupta

Players need to step up in Bumrah's absence [Source: @AkshatOM10/X.Com]Players need to step up in Bumrah's absence [Source: @AkshatOM10/X.Com]

The Champions Trophy is just a few days away and all the 8 teams have finalised their squads for the mega event. The ICC tournament will commence on February 9 and the finale will take place on March 9. One of the favourites for the title, India will play their first game on February 20 against Asian rivals, Bangladesh.

However, ahead of the tournament, they suffered an injury jolt in the form of Jasprit Bumrah. The ace pacer suffered a back injury during the 5th Test Vs Australia in Sydney and didn't bowl in the second innings.

Interestingly, he was named in the Champions Trophy squad, but there is still doubts on his participation in the mega event. In case of injury, if the star pacer misses the tournament, there are 3 players, who need to step up in his absence and deliver the goods and here are those 3 key players.

3) Mohammed Shami

The comeback man of Indian cricket, Mohammed Shami will have his task cut out in case Bumrah misses out on playing in the Champions Trophy.

In terms of matches, he is India's most experienced pacer and perhaps has the best skillset amongst the bowlers in the Indian side. He stepped up during the 2023 World Cup campaign and India will expect him to do the same if an injury rules Bumrah out of the tournament. Plus, Shami has a great track record in 50-overs ICC events and will be a trump card for the Indian team.

2) Arshdeep Singh

Just like Bumrah, Arshdeep is an all phase bowler and can take wickets at the top, and in the slog overs as well. In Bumrah's absence, India would need Arshdeep Singh to be their main man in the death overs as the Men in Blue generally have a poor track record whenever Bumrah is not there.

In the last two ICC tournaments that he has played, Arshdeep was India's leading wicket-taker and will be the man India will bank to pick early wickets.

1) Hardik Pandya

Perhaps India's most underrated ODI bowler at the moment. Hardik is known more for his prowess with the bat in hand, however, time and again, he has delivered the goods with the ball as well.

If there is no Bumrah, captain Rohit Sharma might turn to Hardik for wickets as the all-rounder has the knack of picking wickets at regular intervals in this format. He can be useful in the middle phase of the game where wickets are generally hard to come by.