“I don’t think it will have any major issue” - BCCI Secretary on Jasprit Bumrah’s absence in Champions Trophy 2025

The BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has opened up on Indian star pacer and pace spearhead Jasrpit Bumrah's absence from the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to start on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.

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Saikia has backed the Indian team as the strong side despite the absence of Bumrah from the squad. Notably, young pacer Harshit Rana has been named as Bumrah’s replacement for the showpiece event.

Rana will be a part of the Indian pace battery that comprises Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya for the eight-team marquee competition.

"We have picked the best team for the Champions Trophy. And I believe we will win the trophy. India have such a big bench strength, and I don't think it (Jasprit Bumrah's absence) will have any major issue with the team combination," Saikia told IANS.

Later, the Secretary also stressed on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s form, expressing confidence in the senior batting duo. Though Rohit had hit good form in the ODI series against England with a match-winning century, Kohli couldn’t create an impact of late.

"Everything is very positive in the team (Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in form); see the England series; the results are in front of you. The conditions will be more or less the same in Dubai, like the Indian conditions. India came out in such a good manner (against England) with a series whitewash in ODIs and a 4-1 win in T20Is. The morale and spirit of the team is at the highest level," Saikia added.

India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20. Later, they will take on Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2.

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India's squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, 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.

Non-traveling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube.

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