Bumrah ruled out [Source: @niazi_54/X.Com]
In the latest development, India's ace bowler and perhaps their biggest match winner, Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to a lower back injury. Bumrah sustained the injury during the 5th Test Vs Australia in Sydney and didn't bowl in the second innings.
Harshit Rana, the KKR pacer will replace him in the side as India begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20.
In a press release by BCCI, it was stated that Bumrah couldn't recover from his injury and was unfortunately ruled out of the competition. Harshit Rana was the obvious replacement choice since he played in the first two ODIs against England and did well against them.
Bumrah was at the NCA for his rehabilitation and there was a sense of optimism that he'll be fit enough for the tournament. Interestingly, when the India squad for the Champions Trophy was announced, the ace bowler was included in the team.
Varun Chakravarthy replaces Yashasvi Jaiswal
In a shocking development, spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who made his ODI debut in the England series has been drafted in the Champions Trophy squad, but he has replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was named in the initial provisional squad.
With no Jaiswal, India will only have two first choice openers and no replacement for Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma as they have strengthened their spin department and have compromised on their batting.
Jaiswal, alongside Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube have been kept as non travelling reserves, and could be called in if the situation arises.
India's final squad for Champions Trophy
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.