This is why Jasprit Bumrah's absence is a huge dent to Team India's chances of winning Champions Trophy

Jasprit Bumrah missing the Champions Trophy isn’t just a setback—it’s a full-blown cricketing catastrophe for Team India. Fans have already hit the panic button, some even throwing in the towel before the first ball is bowled. But why all the fuss? Let’s break it down.

Since 2019, Boom Boom has been India’s go-to wicket machine in ICC events, bagging 55 scalps like it’s a walk in the park, the most by an Indian. Need more proof? His economy rate of 4 in the 2023 ODI World Cup was the best among bowlers who played more than one game. If that wasn’t ridiculous enough, he followed it up with an economy of 4.1 at the 2024 T20 World Cup—again, the best among those bowling in over four matches. And surprise, surprise—India thrived in both tournaments.

But here’s the heartbreaker: this will be the third major tournament Bumrah will miss since 2022. No doubt, Team India is going to feel that absence because when Bumrah’s on song, the opposition is off their game.

Bumrah's wickets in recent ICC events (ODIs and T20Is)

2021 T20 World Cup - 7 wickets

2022 T20 World Cup - RULED OUT

2024 T20 World Cup - 15 wickets

2019 ODI World Cup - 18 wickets

2023 ODI World Cup - 20 wickets

Bumrah, who sustained the injury during the final Test against Australia in Sydney in January, has failed to regain full fitness. The BCCI announced late Tuesday night that young pacer Harshit Rana, who made his ODI debut in the series against England, will replace him in the squad.

India’s squad for ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.