Team India are sweating over the fitness of their ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, slated to be held in Pakistan and UAE from February 19 to March 9.
Bumrah has been dealing with a back issue since the fifth and final BGT Test against Australia in Sydney last month. Now, a report published in TOI suggests that the right-arm quick is set to undergo scans and further assessment under the watchful eyes of the BCCI medical team.
While Bumrah has been named in India's Champions Trophy squad, his participation in the eight-team tournament depends on the outcome of the scans and assessment at the National Cricket Academy this week.
According to the report, the 31-year-old will be there for at least two-three days and the NCA specialists will then submit their findings to the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection panel.
During the press conference in Mumbai last month, Agarkar shared an update on Bumrah's projected return as he suggested that the physio has asked him to cut his workload for at least five weeks and the medical team will evaluate him in early February to get more clarity on his availability for Champions Trophy.
"Bumrah has been told to off-load for five weeks after and he won't be available for the first two ODIs against England. We are waiting on his fitness and will know his status in early February from the medical team. We'll probably find out a bit more around that time, what exactly, and with regards to what his medical condition is, I'm sure BCCI might just put something out, from the physio itself," Agarkar had said.
With February 12 being the deadline to submit the final 15-member Champions Trophy squad, the selectors have little over a week to take a call on Bumrah.
Harshit Rana, who is a part of India's squad for the upcoming England ODI series, could be drafted into the Champions Torphy side if Bumrah doesn't get the green signal.
Team India will play three ODIs against England at home in the lead up to the ICC event. The 50-over series, considered. Bumrah is likely to remain absent from at least the first two ODIs against England in the three-match series, starting February 6 in Nagpur.
India will open their Champions Trophy campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
(With TOI Inputs)