India can’t replace Jasprit Bumrah, will be like going to FIFA World Cup without Ronaldo: Ex-England pacer

New Delhi: Team India pacer Jasprit Bumrah is facing a race against time to be fit for the all-important Champions Trophy 2025 which is set to get underway later this month. India are sweating over the pacer’s fitness ever since he suffered a back injury during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia in Sydney.

Bumrah recently visited BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru where he had a scan of his back. The Indian team management and the selectors are waiting for the final report from the medal team at the Centre of Excellence and a call on the pacer’s participation in the multi-nation tournament will be taken after that.

Bumrah was asked to off load after returning from Australia where he didn’t bowl during the hosts’ second innings of the 5th Test in Sydney. Bumrah was initially named in India’s squad for the 3rd ODI of the ongoing three-match series against England but was later replaced by Varun Chakaravarthy. Though he is still part of India’s preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, a final decision on his participation is awaited.

Sharing his thoughts on the doubts over Bumrah’s participation in the Champions Trophy 2025, former England pacer Steve Harmison said it will be a massive blow for India if the pacer misses the tournament. Harmison believes Bumrah is irreplaceable for India and that it will be like heading into a football World Cup without Cristiano Ronaldo if India miss his services.

“He’s Jasprit Bumrah. For me, you can’t replace Jasprit Bumrah anytime. And I mean, I would even go up to the morning of the final to take him that far because he’s Jasprit Bumrah. He’s the best in the world. So that would be my take on from an Indian point of view,” Harmison said on TalkSport cricket.

“It’s like going to a football World Cup with your best striker, Cristiano Ronaldo. 15 years ago you don’t replace Ronaldo until you have to replace him. So I think I would imagine that’s what India will do. Just put him in the squad and carry him around in a sedan chair. It’s a 14-man squad. That’s good enough to get me through the group games,” he added.

Will Jasprit Bumrah make the cut for Champions Trophy 2025?

February 11, Tuesday is the deadline for all teams to confirm their final squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 and a decision on Bumrah’s participation is expected soon. However, amid uncertainty lingering over his fitness, it won’t be a surprise if Bumrah fails to make the cut in the final 15-man squad for the all-important tournament where India will play all their matches in Dubai.

In case Bumrah misses the tournament, India might name Harshit Rana as a like-to-like replacement for the pacer. Rana is currently part of the Indian squad that is locking horns with England in the ongoing three-match ODI series. Former England pacer believes it will be near impossible for India to replace someone like Jasprit Bumrah if the pacer is not declared fit for the Champions Trophy 2025. The ex-pacer said it will be like heading into a football World Cup without Cristiano Ronaldo.  Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today