Not having Bumrah will reduce India's chances by 30-35% in Champions Trophy: Shastri
The Hindu
Ravi Shastri warns against rushing Jasprit Bumrah back to the Indian team due to potential injury risks.
Former skipper Ravi Shastri reckons that Jasprit Bumrah’s potential absence could severely weaken the Indian team in the Champions Trophy but advised against rushing the premier fast bowler’s return to the national side.
Bumrah suffered back spasms in the fifth Test against Australia at Sydney in January, and did not bowl in the second innings. He hasn’t bowled for India since then, though he has been included in the initial squad for the prestigious ODI tournament.
Bumrah is undergoing rehabilitation at the NCA and is not in the ODI squad for the three-match series against England beginning on Thursday (Jan. 6, 2025).
The sports science experts are expected to provide an update on his fitness to the BCCI after which a call would be taken on the Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan and UAE.
The opening game is scheduled in Karachi on February 19 while India will play all their games in Dubai.
“Bumrah not fit will reduce India’s chances [of winning the Champions Trophy] by 30%, literally by 30-35%,” Shastri said in the latest edition of ICC Review.
“With a fully fit Bumrah playing, you are guaranteed of those death overs. It would’ve been a different ball game altogether,” opined Shastri.
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