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Ponting and Shastri Weigh in on Bumrah’s Fitness Concerns for Champions Trophy 2025
Bumrah’s Potential Absence Raises Concerns for India
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting and ex-India head coach Ravi Shastri have expressed concerns over India’s prospects in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 if pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is unable to play. The 31-year-old, who had an outstanding 2024 campaign, clinching both the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year and the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, has been struggling with fitness issues.
Bumrah sustained back spasms during India’s Test series against Australia in January and has not returned to action since. Although he has been named in India’s provisional Champions Trophy squad, doubts remain about his readiness, especially as he has been excluded from the upcoming ODI series against England.
Shastri Warns Against Rushing Bumrah Back
“Too Precious to Risk for One Tournament”
Shastri, speaking on The ICC Review, cautioned against hastily bringing Bumrah back into the squad, stating that India has too many important fixtures ahead to gamble with his recovery.
“I think it’s high risk. There’s too much big cricket coming up for India. At this stage of his career, I think he’s too precious to be just called on for one game and asked to deliver,” Shastri said.
He also emphasized the pressure that would accompany Bumrah’s return, with fans expecting an immediate impact.
“The expectations will be so much. They’ll think he’ll come in straight away and set the world on fire. It’s never that easy when you come back from injury.”
“India’s Winning Chances Drop by 30-35% Without Bumrah”
Shastri also highlighted the vital role Bumrah plays in India’s bowling attack, particularly in the death overs.
“Bumrah not fit will reduce India’s chances [of winning the Champions Trophy] by 30%, literally by 30-35%,” he added.
With the tournament being held in Pakistan and the UAE, where pitches assist fast bowlers, Bumrah’s absence would be a significant setback.
Ponting Highlights Mohammed Shami’s Role
Ponting echoed Shastri’s concerns and pointed out the importance of Mohammed Shami, who recently made a comeback from injury in the limited-overs series against England.
Shami’s Return a Crucial Boost for India
Ponting believes that India struggled in Australia due to Bumrah shouldering too much of the workload in Shami’s absence.
“My biggest concern about India when they came to Australia was Bumrah not having Shami there as a backup and him having to burden most of the load,” Ponting said.
He also suggested that this increased workload may have contributed to Bumrah’s injury.
“That’s probably what happened, and might even have something to do with why he got hurt.”
Shami’s latest performance against England in the T20I series, where he picked up 3/25, has been a promising sign for India.
Shami’s Workload Will Be Closely Monitored
Shastri pointed out that India will carefully assess Shami’s match fitness in the upcoming ODI series against England before making any decisions for the Champions Trophy.
“It will be interesting to see if India play him in all three, or if they give him the first and the third one, and then ease him into the Champions Trophy.”
Since ODIs require a bowler to deliver 10 overs, compared to four in T20s, the management will closely monitor how Shami copes with the extended workload.
India’s Champions Trophy Campaign Begins on February 20
India will kick off their ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 journey against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai. The team’s bowling lineup and the fitness of key players like Bumrah and Shami will play a crucial role in determining their chances of success.
📌 India’s Champions Trophy
📌 ICC’s Official Champions Trophy
