As the 2025 Champions Trophy approaches, the Indian cricket team faces a major concern over the fitness of their star pacer, Jasprit Bumrah.
Jasprit Bumrah sustained back spasms during the fifth and final Test of the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. While the full extent of the injury is yet to be determined, there is growing apprehension that Jasprit Bumrah might miss the marquee tournament, which begins on February 19.
Jasprit Bumrah’s absence would be a significant setback for India, as his contributions were pivotal in the Test series. He emerged as the leading wicket-taker, claiming 32 scalps across nine innings and bowling over 150 overs. However, his heavy workload may have taken a toll, leaving him unavailable to bowl in the second innings of the Sydney Test, which Australia won by six wickets to clinch the series 3-1.
The overreliance on Bumrah has drawn criticism from former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, who expressed his frustration with the team management’s handling of the pacer. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan criticized the excessive use of Bumrah, likening it to squeezing every drop out of sugarcane. He noted how Bumrah was turned to whenever key Australian batters like Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, or Steve Smith were at the crease.
Harbhajan lamented the lack of proper workload management, pointing out that Bumrah’s absence in critical moments highlighted the consequences of overburdening him. He argued that the team management should have carefully monitored his workload to prevent such an injury, emphasizing the potential impact on India’s chances in upcoming tournaments.
The Indian team will be in trouble without Jasprit Bumrah.
