Ex-India Spinner Suggests This To Rohit Sharma's Army In Jasprit Bumrah-less Champions Trophy

India’s former spinner, Harbhajan Singh, has pointed out the impact on the blue brigade for Jasprit Bumrah’s absence in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. The Rohit Sharma-led side will be without their premier pacer in the campaign as he suffered a back injury.

Bumrah picked up the injury during the fifth Test of the BGT 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and didn’t bowl a single over in the second innings, as the visiting side suffered a 3-1 series defeat.

Harbhajan Singh keeps faith in India’s young pacers

The BCCI selectors, led by the head of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, kept Bumrah in the preliminary squad of the Champions Trophy 2025. They waited till the deadline of the ICC to announce the final squad for the ICC event.

Also Read: WPL 2024 Champions Suffer Huge Injury Blow!! MIW To Miss This Indian Pacer

The Gujarat bowler started bowling, with low intensity at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru before getting the pace back. But that wasn’t enough for him to be selected for the mega event. Later, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced Bumrah’s withdrawal from the squad.

Harshit Rana replaced the Ahmedabad-born, as he became part of a three-pace bowling unit alongside Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh. Hardik Pandya will play the role of the fast-bowling all-rounder.

Harbhajan Singh felt that even though Bumrah is a huge part of the planning for Rohit Sharma’s army, they have a lot of experienced players on the side to keep them ahead in the tournament.

“I still believe India is the favorite in the Champions Trophy. Bumrah is a big force who can win matches. Even without Bumrah, there are a lot of experienced players like Arshdeep, Shami, Kuldeep, and Jadeja. India is the favorite, but they have to play like the favorites.” The Punjab-born expressed this in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.

Harbhajan Singh calls India favorites of the Champions Trophy for this reason

The former spinner has also advocated that the blue brigade should do well in the eight-team tournament, as their batting has got back the lost confidence during the recent home ODI series against England.

Captain Rohit Sharma celebrated his century at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, while Shubman Gill also creamed a couple of fifties and a century in Ahmedabad, along with Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer.

“I call India a favorite because of its capability. Rohit is back in form, Virat has scored runs, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer keep on scoring runs. So batting and bowling departments are performing well.” Harbhajan Singh addressed.

“I think Bumrah's absence will be felt in the last couple of overs when the opposition will need a few runs with just two or three wickets in hand. But I think if you want to win the tournament, you should learn to play without Bumrah.” The former spinner reckoned.

India’s Road Ahead in Champions Trophy 2025

When the Blue Brigade earned the title in the 2013 season under the leadership of MS Dhoni, they remained unbeaten for the entire tournament. Even in 2017, they were excellent till the final, which they lost against at the Kennington Oval.

Also Read: Pakistan Pacer Fined And Handed Demerit Point After On-field Altercation In Tri-series

In the new season, the 2017 runners-up will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium before they face arch-rival Pakistan at the same venue. Their last league game will be against New Zealand on March 02.

They enjoyed a fantastic time in the three ODIs against the Jos Buttler-led side at home, thanks to their superb all-rounder performances.