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Star Indian paceman Bumrah ruled out of Champions Trophy with injury, Rana called up

Jasprit Bumrah will be a big miss for India
Jasprit Bumrah will be a big miss for IndiaReuters / Ash Allen
India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah (31) has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy after failing to recover from a lower back injury in time for the tournament, the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) announced on Tuesday.

Bumrah, the highest wicket-taker in the recent test series with Australia which India lost 3-1, had back spasms during the final Test in Sydney last month, which also ruled him out of a five-match T20 international series with England.

His absence will be a major blow to India, with the 31-year-old widely considered one of the best all-format fast bowlers in the sport.

"Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury. The men’s selection committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah’s replacement," the BCCI said in a statement.

Rana has played two ODIs, both of which came against England this month, picking up four wickets.

The BCCI added that spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who took 14 wickets in a five-match Twenty20 series against England in January and February, would replace batter Yashasvi Jaiswal.

India are in Group A in the Champions Trophy and meet Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20th, before taking on defending champions and rivals Pakistan and ending their group campaign against New Zealand.

India squad:

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.