New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced the updated squad for the upcoming ODI series against England, starting on Thursday, February 6. The Three Lions are on an eight-match white-ball tour of India which will conclude after the three 50-over contests. The Men in Blue drew first blood, thrashing the 2022 world champions 4-1 and ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy will look to carry the winning momentum in the ODI series.
Ahead of the series opener in Nagpur, BCCI announced an updated squad and included Varun Chakravarthy, who won the Player of the Series award in T20Is for picking up 14 wickets. Chakravarthy’s late inclusion has signalled the team management’s intentions of potentially selecting the mystery spinner in the final squad for the Champions Trophy, which begins in Karachi on February 19.
While Chakravarthy was a notable inclusion, a major name was excluded from the updated squad and the development has sent the Indian fans in distress.
Bumrah’s absence from England ODIs: A major setback for India’s Champions Trophy hopes
Jasprit Bumrah, India’s pace-bowling superstar, was excluded from India’s updated ODI squad for the England series. The star fast bowler was initially named in the ODI squad for the three-match series but his commission from the squad has raised concerns among the millions of Indian fans.
Bumrah is currently recovering from a back injury he suffered almost a month ago during the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. The injury prevented him from bowling in India’s second innings after he was taken for scans midway through the Test match.
The extent of Bumrah’s injury remains unknown but it was believed he would regain his fitness for the 50-over marquee ICC event which will be played across Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, while announcing the squad for the England series last month, mentioned that Bumrah would miss the first two ODIs but named him in the ODI squad, raising hopes of his return. However, his exclusion from the updated squad announced today has potentially dealt a serious blow to India’s Champions Trophy hopes.
Former India all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri told ICC that Bumrah’s potential absence in the Champions Trophy would be a big blow to India but also added that the bowler should not be rushed back.
According to the latest reports, Bumrah checked into the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to undergo rehabilitation.
With question marks on Bumrah’s fitness, all eyes will be on Mohammed Shami, who himself made a comeback from injury in the England T20Is after a 14-month-long injury lay-off.
The BCCI announced an updated Indian ODI squad for the upcoming series against England, featuring Varun Chakravarthy’s inclusion but notably excluding India’s best match-winner. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
