Jasprit Bumrah's Injury And...? 3 Big Concerns For India Ahead Of Champions Trophy

Anurag Dasgupta

3 major concerns for Team India [Source: @Vetrenny136/X.Com] 3 major concerns for Team India [Source: @Vetrenny136/X.Com]

The Champions Trophy is just a few days away and the buzz has been created as teams will fight it out for the coveted trophy. The ICC mega event is set to commence on February 19 and will end on March 9. Apart from the hosts, Pakistan, the other favourites to clinch the title is Rohit Sharma's India.

The Men in Blue won the Champions Trophy in 2013 and reached the finals in 2017, which they lost against Pakistan. The side also reached the finals in the 2023 World Cup and will be the team to beat once again. However, not everything is going right for the Asian side.

India is suffering from key injuries to their players and several of their batting mainstays are out of form. Here are 3 major concerns for India as they head towards the Champions Trophy.

1) Jasprit Bumrah's injury

The biggest worry for India is the form of their star bowler and the leader of the attack, Jasprit Bumrah. The ace bowler suffered from a back injury during the 5th Test Vs Australia, last month and since then he has been on the sidelines.

He was included in India's Champions Trophy squad, but there are still doubts on his participation. If Bumrah misses the event, India will be without their biggest weapon as other bowlers are not that experienced and could get exposed in an ICC tournament.

2) Out of form, Kohli and Rohit

Out of India's three biggest match-winners, one is injured and other two are woefully out of form. Post the T20 World Cup in 2024, both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been below par. They looked scratchy in the New Zealand series and were out of sorts in the Australia series as the home side thrashed India 3-1.

In ICC tournaments, Kohli and Rohit have always delivered and if they are out of touch, runs will be difficult to come by and it will put the pressure on other batters.

3) The keeper conundrum

Who will keep wickets for India in Champions Trophy?. KL Rahul is the first choice keeper, but he has looked out of touch as of late. The maverick batter, Rishabh Pant is waiting in the wings and if KL Rahul fails in the next two ODIs against England, the team management will have a big headache and don't be surprised if Pant becomes the guarantee first choice keeper/batter at number 5. However, Team India needs to solve this issue before the mega event.