Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand doctor's report will reveal Jasprit Bumrah's availability

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Rowan Schouten will assess Jasprit Bumrah's back injury in New Zealand. A consultation visit will also be planned depending on his report and feedback. The star pacer is racing against time to get fit ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. He has been named in India's 15-man squad for the global event. However, India can make a change if the speedster fails to recover in time.

According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is already planning a backup for Bumrah. This is certainly a worrying news for Indian fans around the world as the right-arm seamer has been in sensational form of late. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee dropped Mohammed Siraj from the Champions Trophy squad and picked Mohammed Shami, who has recently made a comeback to competitive cricket after recovering from a devastating injury. Arshdeep Singh is the other pacer who has been named in the side.

Apart from the Champions Trophy squad, Bumrah was also picked for the third ODI between India and England. However, his participation in the clash seems highly unlikely. Harshit Rana has already been named in the squad for the first two ODIs. The Delhi pacer might get the nod for the third ODI as well as the Champions Trophy if Bumrah doesn't get fully fit in time. However, sources suggested that Siraj could make a comeback due to his experience.

"The BCCI medical team is in touch with Schouten in New Zealand. The board had also planned a visit for Bumrah to New Zealand. But that hasn't happened yet. The selectors know it will be a miracle if Bumrah turns up 100% fit in the given timeline," a BCCI source told TOI.

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It is important to note that Schouten had operated on Bumrah after he missed the T20 World Cup in 2022. India's Test vice-captain and the other fast bowlers who played most matches during the Test season were advised to take a three-week offloading process, which asks a player to avoid partaking in any strenuous physical activity which includes basic fitness training as well.

"The reports will be shared with his doctor in New Zealand. Sending Bumrah to New Zealand will depend on the feedback. The board and Bumrah himself are not willing to push hard given his significance over a long period of time,” the source said.

“The selectors will only be informed if he is ready to take the field after the entire process is complete. The selectors will need to keep a backup plan ready for him. It will be a miracle if Bumrah makes it,” the source added.

The Champions Trophy begins on February 19. Meanwhile, India will play their first match on February 20 against Bangladesh. The ODI series between India and England begins on February 6.