Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness has come under scrutiny after he sustained back spasms towards the end of India’s recent tour of Australia, causing him to miss bowling during the second innings of the fifth Test in Sydney.
With the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for February-March, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering resting Bumrah for most of the upcoming white-ball series against England in order to ensure he is fully fit for the tournament.
According to Indian media reports, the extent of Bumrah’s injury remains unclear, and a decision on his participation will depend on the severity of the condition.
This setback has also brought renewed attention to Bumrah’s workload and the growing dependence of the Indian team on the 30-year-old pacer.
During the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Bumrah bowled a total of 151.2 overs across five Tests, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 32 scalps at an impressive average of 13.06, which included three five-wicket hauls.
The report further outlines that if Bumrah has suffered a Grade 1 injury, he would require two to three weeks of recovery before making his competitive return.
In the case of a Grade 2 injury, his rehabilitation could extend up to six weeks, while a Grade 3 injury might sideline him for three months, requiring an intensive rehabilitation program.
India’s next challenge will be a five-match T20I series against England, starting on January 22, followed by three ODIs.
The right-arm pacer was initially expected to skip the T20I series, given that it's not a World Cup year, but he was anticipated to feature in at least two of the three ODIs to prepare for the Champions Trophy.
However, the severity of his injury will determine whether he misses the entire ODI series or is available for at least one match.
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will kick off on February 19, with India facing Bangladesh the following day in Dubai.
