Cricket
The countdown for the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy has begun, with Pakistan and Dubai set to host this mini World Cup tournament. However, just before the tournament, Team India has faced a major setback. Star bowler Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the tournament is now uncertain.
India is set to play a three-match ODI series against England starting from February 6. Just two days before the series, the Indian squad underwent changes. Varun Chakravarthy has earned a place in the squad due to his recent impressive T20 performances. However, Jasprit Bumrah's name is missing from the team, causing concern among Indian cricket fans.
Bumrah suffered an injury during the last Test match against Australia, which led to his exclusion from the first two ODIs against England. The team management initially stated that he might return for the third ODI. However, with his name missing from the squad, speculation about his fitness has grown. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that Bumrah needs five weeks of rest, ruling him out of the first two ODIs. Though there are reports of ongoing treatment, no official replacement has been announced for him in the series. This has raised serious doubts over his participation in the Champions Trophy.
On the other hand, Mohammed Shami has recovered from his injury but will take some time to return to full match fitness. Bumrah has been struggling with a recurring back injury, which also affected his participation in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His absence from the England series further adds to concerns about his availability for the Champions Trophy.
With the ICC Champions Trophy set to begin on February 19, Team India is facing significant tension regarding Bumrah's fitness. His presence is crucial for India's bowling attack, and whether he will be fit in time for the mega tournament remains a serious question.
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