Jasprit Bumrah likely to miss champions Trophy group stage due to back injury

Jasprit Bumrah is expected to miss the group stage of next month's Champions Trophy due to a back injury. Sources from The Indian Express confirm that Bumrah, who is experiencing swelling on his back, has been directed to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for further assessment and rehabilitation.

The Champions Trophy, featuring the world’s top eight ODI teams, begins on February 19. India’s matches are set to take place across Karachi, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Dubai. Bumrah’s fitness has raised concerns, and the national selectors have been briefed about his condition. While the deadline to announce the Champions Trophy squad is Sunday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has requested an extension to submit the list. Bumrah’s rehabilitation progress will be monitored, and the final decision will depend on his recovery.

Bumrah, who has a history of back issues, is expected to be fit only by the first week of March. A BCCI source shared that initial reports suggest no fracture but rather swelling in his back. He will undergo three weeks of recovery at the NCA and will need to participate in practice games to assess his match fitness before he returns to play.

India’s group stage matches include games against Bangladesh on February 20 and Pakistan on February 23, with their final group match against New Zealand on March 2. However, it remains uncertain if Bumrah will be ready in time.

Previously, Bumrah missed nearly 11 months of play due to back surgery, from September 2022 to August 2023, before making his return in a T20 match against Ireland. The Indian team has been cautious with his workload, ensuring he doesn’t overstrain himself. Recently, Bumrah was rested for the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai to ensure he remained fresh for the Test series in Australia.

In the recent Australia tour, Bumrah had a stellar performance, claiming 32 wickets in five Test matches and winning the Player of the Series award. However, he missed the final day of the Sydney Test due to his back issue, with Australia ultimately winning the series.