India’s star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to injury, sparking outrage among fans over the selection of Harshit Rana instead of Mohammed Siraj. Bumrah, who was part of the initial squad announced on January 18, has not played since getting injured in the Sydney Test against Australia. His absence has triggered social media backlash, with Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir facing criticism for his selection decisions.
Mohammed Siraj’s Snub Raises Questions
Experts argue that Siraj should have been an automatic pick in Bumrah’s absence, but instead, he has been named as a standby player alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shoum Dubey. These players will remain in India and will only be called up if needed.
Bumrah’s Injury a Blow to India, Relief for Opponents
Bumrah has been one of the world’s most dominant bowlers across formats, with 205 Test wickets at an average of 19, 149 ODI wickets at 23, and 89 T20 wickets at 17. His absence is seen as a huge setback for India but a relief for rival teams, especially Pakistan, who now have a better chance of beating India.
Gambhir’s Kolkata Knight Riders Connection Sparks Controversy
Social media is buzzing with accusations of favoritism against coach Gautam Gambhir, as both Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy—who have been selected over more experienced players—play for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), a franchise Gambhir is closely associated with.
Rohit Sharma’s Century Brings Hope for India
While Bumrah’s injury is a concern, India received a boost with Rohit Sharma’s return to form. He silenced critics by scoring a century in the second ODI against England, ending an 11-month drought. His form is seen as a positive sign ahead of the Champions Trophy, where India and Australia are considered favorites.
Cricket Pundits Predict India & Australia as Front-Runners
Former cricketers Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting have labeled India and Australia as the strongest contenders for the Champions Trophy, with England and South Africa as likely semi-finalists. Pakistan, however, remains an unpredictable team capable of pulling off upsets.
Pakistan Faces Challenges Before Champions Trophy
While playing at home should benefit Pakistan, batting inconsistency and late-match bowling collapses have raised concerns. Captain Mohammad Rizwan’s leadership will be under scrutiny as the team aims to meet fans’ expectations.
