NEW DELHI: Former India coach Ravi Shastri has cautioned against rushing Jasprit Bumrah back into action for the Champions Trophy if he is not fully fit. Calling it a “high-risk move,” Shastri emphasised the importance of managing Bumrah’s workload carefully, given his history of injuries.
With the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, India’s title prospects face scrutiny amid uncertainty over the fitness of pace spearhead Bumrah.
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Cricket legends Ricky Ponting and Ravi Shastri believe Bumrah’s potential absence could significantly weaken India’s campaign, reducing their chances of winning by nearly 30-35%.
Bumrah, who had an exceptional 2024, was recently named ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year and ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year. He played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph and delivered outstanding performances across formats.
However, a back spasm sustained during the Sydney Test against Australia in January has sidelined him since. Though included in India’s initial Champions Trophy squad, his absence from the upcoming three-match ODI series against England has intensified concerns over his fitness.
Shastri, speaking on The ICC Review, strongly advised against rushing Bumrah back into the side, emphasising the risks involved. He pointed out that India has a packed international schedule ahead, and jeopardising the fitness of their premier fast bowler for a single tournament could have long-term repercussions.
“I think it’s high risk. There’s too much big cricket coming up for India,” Shastri said on The ICC Review.
“At this stage of his career, I think he’s too precious to be just called on for one game out of the blue and asked to deliver. The expectations will be so much. They’ll think that he’ll come in straight away and set the world on fire. It’s never that easy when you come back from injury.”
Shastri also emphasised Bumrah’s crucial role in India’s Champions Trophy campaign, stating that his absence would be a significant setback to the team’s plans.
“Bumrah not fit will reduce India’s chances [of winning the Champions Trophy by 30%, literally by 30-35%,” he said. “With a fully fit Bumrah playing, you are guaranteed those death overs. It would’ve been a different ball game altogether.”
Former Australia captain Ponting echoed Shastri’s concerns, suggesting that Bumrah’s heavy workload during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy may have played a role in his injury. Ponting emphasised that managing Bumrah’s fitness should be a top priority for India, given his immense value across formats.
With Bumrah’s availability in doubt, Ponting believes the spotlight now shifts to Mohammed Shami, who has recently returned from an injury layoff. Shami featured in India’s limited-overs series against England, and his experience and ability to lead the pace attack will be crucial if Bumrah is unable to recover in time for the big-ticket event.
“My biggest concern about India when they came for Australia in the Test series was Bumrah not having Shami there as a backup and him having to shoulder most of the load,” Ponting said on The ICC Review.
“And that’s probably what happened, and might even have something to do with why he [Bumrah] got hurt. He probably ended up having to bowl a bit more in that series with Shami not being there.”
However, Ponting sees Shami’s return as a positive development for India. The veteran pacer has displayed glimpses of his best form, notably delivering an impressive spell of 3/25 in the fourth T20I against England.
Shastri also weighed in on Shami’s comeback, stressing that his fitness and endurance will be tested in the ODIs against England. He noted that with Bumrah’s availability uncertain, Shami’s ability to step up as India’s pace spearhead will be crucial for their Champions Trophy campaign.
“It will be interesting to see if India play him out in all three, or they give him the first one and the third one, and then ease him into the Champions Trophy,” Shastri said.
“But he’ll be watched very closely because 10 overs is totally different to four overs, and then you’re going to see how he pulls up in the field as well having bowled those 10 overs.”
Shami last played an ODI for India in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final against Australia, where he emerged as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker. His return to the 50-over format comes at a critical juncture for India, with the Champions Trophy on the horizon and uncertainty surrounding Bumrah’s fitness.
Shami’s ability to stay fit and consistently bowl full spells will be vital for India’s campaign, particularly if Bumrah is unavailable. His experience, swing, and knack for breaking partnerships make him a key asset, and the upcoming ODI series against England will serve as an important test of his readiness.