Jasprit Bumrah: ‘Shouldn’t be part of Champions Trophy team if…’: World Cup winning team’s physiotherapist issues stern warning

Jasprit Bumrah enjoyed the series of his life in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25. India’s pace leader has taken 32 wickets in five Tests, equaling the record for most wickets taken in a single series between India and Australia. However, Bumrah suffered an injury during the final Test in Sydney, which kept him out of the fourth innings and also cast a shadow over his participation in the upcoming Champions Trophy. Former India coach Ramji Srinivasan opined that Bumrah should not take risks for the Champions Trophy if he is not fully fit.

“Bumrah is a treasure and should be handled with care. The Champions Trophy is not the end of the world,” said Srinivasan, who was the head strength and conditioning coach of the 2011 World Cup-winning Indian team. Times of India.

“If there is even the slightest doubt, he should not be on the team. Five Test matches in a row is nothing he has ever played in his cricket career,” Srinivasan continued.

Bumrah’s injury was initially reported to be back spasms, for which he apparently went for a scan on the second day of the fifth Test. Srinivasan said recovery from back spasms shouldn’t be too difficult, but you shouldn’t risk getting any injuries beyond that.

“If it’s just cramps, he should be in good shape. In fact, he may have felt good even before he boarded the plane home. But I’m not so sure about this. The injury is related to stress, which is a direct result of playing too much cricket. If it is a grade 1 to 3 injury associated with a stress fracture, recovery may take one to six months,” Srinivasan added.

India will play three ODIs and five T20Is against England ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy.

India have until January 12 to announce their squad for the Champions Trophy, although they can make changes before February 13.