![India, Australia, Pakistan and other participating teams in the Champions Trophy had major setbacks with player injuries [Source: @dhillow_/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1739342629464_Ruled_Out.jpg?type=mq)
India, Australia, Pakistan and other participating teams in the Champions Trophy had major setbacks with player injuries [Source: @dhillow_/X.com]
The 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy is set to light up the cricketing world from February 19 to March 9, with matches scheduled across Pakistan and Dubai. However, even before the tournament gets underway, a slew of injuries has cast a shadow over the event. Key players from several top cricketing nations have been sidelined, leaving fans and teams alike to brace for a tournament that might witness unexpected shifts in team dynamics.
In this listicle, we take a closer look at nine prominent players who have been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025, mostly due to injury-related issues. Their absences show how tough international cricket can be on players, but they also give new talents a chance to step in and take their place.
Here's a look at all the players who were ruled out ahead of the Champions Trophy:
1. Jasprit Bumrah (India)
Jasprit Bumrah, India’s star fast bowler, has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury that he suffered during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Known for his lethal yorkers and wicket-taking prowess, his exclusion is a major setback for the Indian pace attack as the team will be lacking in experience on the pace front.
Nevertheless, in a recent development, the selectors looked up to fresh talent Harshit Rana, the emerging star who impressed in the ongoing England ODI series with back-to-back 3-fers, to replace him in the squad.
2. Pat Cummins (Australia)
The Australian skipper, Pat Cummins, renowned for his all-round ability and leadership, will miss the coveted tournament following an injury sustained after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Cummins led the side from 2022, and his sudden exclusion along with other prominent key players from Australia's squad prompted Cricket Australia to name Steve Smith to lead the pack for the Champions Trophy.
3. Josh Hazlewood (Australia)
A key figure in Australia’s pace unit, Josh Hazlewood was sidelined due to a hip injury he suffered during the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match.
Jhye Richardson was brought in as his replacement during the series. However, since then, Hazlewood has not been able to recover from the calf strain. Ben Dwarshuis, who was named in Australia's CT squad, can potentially fill Hazlewood's void in the tournament.
4. Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
The dynamic all-rounder of Australia was ruled out of the Champions Trophy squad due to persistent lower back pain. He has been struggling with back issues for a while and didn't feature in the last match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Marsh only appeared in a single match in BBL 14, where he didn't shine in either of the batting or bowling departments. To fill the void, Australia could use Cooper Connolly, a young, talented all-rounder, who is travelling with the Aussie squad as a reserve.
5. Mitchell Starc (Australia)
Mitchell Starc, one of Australia’s most lethal and key pace attacks, has withdrawn from the tournament, citing personal reasons, with reports also mentioning a left ankle issue. His exit further weakens an already depleted Australian pace attack.
With the exit, Australia will now have to rely on Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, and Sean Abbott to spearhead the pace attack alongside a well-rounded spin attack.
6. Anrich Nortje (South Africa)
In a shock for South Africa, their promising fast bowler, Anrich Nortje, was ruled out because of injuries. Plagued by a series of injuries, the scans that Nortje underwent recently were not satisfactory, and hence, the pace spearhead of the Proteas was ruled out of the marquee tournament.
Nortje's replacement, all-rounder Corbin Bosch, who earned his maiden ODI cap back in December 2024, will now be expected to shoulder the pace bowling responsibilities.
7. Jacob Bethell (England)
The 21-year-old batting all-rounder from England, Jacob Bethell, will not be part of the tournament after suffering a hamstring injury during the recent ODI series against India in Nagpur. His exclusion from the tournament was confirmed by skipper Jos Buttler; however, his replacement is yet to be named.
Tom Banton, the English wicketkeeper-batter, was named as Bethell's replacement in the ODI series, and he will also be expected to fill his shoes for the Champions Trophy as well.
8. Saim Ayub (Pakistan)
Despite his promising form, Pakistan’s prodigy, opening batter Saim Ayub, was not selected in the final 15-member squad after suffering an ankle injury during the second Test in the South Africa series. The 22-year-old was in stellar form ahead of his injury; however, he will miss his first Champions Trophy as Pakistan named the squad without him.
Interestingly, Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman, who was not initially in the scheme of things, made it to the squad, which can be narrowly carved out as he found his place because of Ayub's absence.
9. Allah Ghazanfar (Afghanistan)
The young Afghan spinner, AM Ghazanfar, has been ruled out following a fracture in his L4 vertebra, specifically, the left pars interarticularis. Expected to be sidelined for at least four months, Ghazanfar’s injury curtails his hopes to feature in the marquee event and also has very minimal prospects for IPL 2025.
Nangyal Kharote, the left-arm spinner, who earned his maiden ODI cap in March 2024, was named as Ghazanfar's replacement in the squad. Although Afghanis are a spin-heavy team, Ghazanfar's magic on the field will be missed by the team as they try to crack open the batters in Pakistan.
.jpg?type=mq "Smith Takes A Beauty At Slip!")
 "Soumyajit Dutta")
