'There is no explanation' - Aakash Chopra questions BCCI over Jasprit Bumrah's absence from England series

Jasprit Bumrah sustained a back spasm during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He did not come out to bowl in the second innings and straightaway went for scans. His availability for the England series and Champions Trophy 2025 became sceptical before the squads for the both were announced and his name was included. The selectors added that he would only play the third ODI before the tournament owing to his recovery. 

But as the first ODI between India and England is scheduled to commence in February, as per the latest press release by BCCI, the right-arm pacer was ruled out from the series. The development has cast a shadow on the star pacer's availability for the Champions Trophy. Moreover, former India cricketer, Aakash Chopra has raised concerns over the issues and added that resting Bumrah without any explanation is bizarre. 

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"When the press release came for the rejig in the Indian team, Varun Chakaravarthy had been added. The news is not about the addition but whose name is not there. The discussion is more about someone's absence than someone else's presence," said Chopra on his YouTube channel.

"Jasprit Bumrah's name was there when the Champions Trophy squad was announced and it was also said that he would be available for the third match when the ODI team was announced. However, if you see the squad that has been announced now, Bumrah's name has been omitted. There is no explanation. There is no communication as to why Bumrah's name is not there," Chopra added. 

India ODI squad vs England

Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy.