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Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has strongly refuted media claims that he is on bed rest following a back injury sustained during the recent Test series in Australia. Bumrah, who captained India in the first and last Test matches of the five-match series against Australia, was also named the Player of the Series. However, local reports suggested that Bumrah had been advised to take rest after experiencing a back issue and would not rush his return to cricket, casting doubt on his availability for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.
In response to these reports, Bumrah took to social media to dismiss the claims, calling them “ridiculous” and pointing out the unreliability of the sources. His tweet, which he later deleted, referred to the media’s tendency to spread false news. Despite the initial confusion, Bumrah’s reaction served to clear up any misunderstandings regarding his recovery.
Back Injury and Rehabilitation at the NCA
While Bumrah denied being on bed rest, it is true that he has been dealing with a back injury. According to reports, Bumrah experienced swelling in his back after the Test series in Australia and has been instructed to report to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for rehabilitation. The NCA will monitor his recovery over the next few weeks, ensuring that his condition improves before he returns to action.
Bumrah’s injury raised concerns regarding his fitness for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, which will take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, in Pakistan and Dubai. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has delayed the announcement of the 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy by one week to accommodate Bumrah’s recovery timeline. The original deadline for the squad announcement was January 12.
BCCI’s Efforts to Ensure Bumrah’s Fitness for Champions Trophy
The BCCI has been closely monitoring Bumrah’s fitness status, with reports indicating that initial assessments show no fractures, but swelling in his back. Bumrah will undergo rehabilitation at the NCA for a period of three weeks, after which he will need to assess his match fitness through practice games or internal matches before making a return to competitive cricket. A BCCI source confirmed this information, noting that Bumrah’s rehabilitation is crucial to determine his availability for the Champions Trophy.
Bumrah’s performance in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy was exceptional, where he bowled a total of 151.2 overs, taking 32 wickets at an average of 13.06 and a strike rate of 28.3. His impressive performance in Australia has made him one of India’s key players for the upcoming Champions Trophy, and his fitness remains a priority for the national selectors.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Bumrah’s Participation in Doubt
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will feature eight teams and take place across venues in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 to March 9. India is in Group A, alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B consists of Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia. The tournament will kick off with the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi, followed by the much-anticipated India vs. Pakistan match on February 23 in Dubai.
India’s schedule for the Champions Trophy includes:
- February 20: Bangladesh vs. India, Dubai
- February 23: Pakistan vs. India, Dubai
- March 2: New Zealand vs. India, Dubai
While Bumrah’s participation in the tournament has been called into question due to his injury, the BCCI and Bumrah himself remain focused on his recovery, and it is hoped that he will be fit in time for the tournament.
