India and Australia have suffered significant setbacks ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc have been ruled out of the tournament. These developments come as a major blow to both teams, who were banking on their star pacers to lead their bowling attacks.

Jasprit Bumrah’s Injury Concerns

Jasprit Bumrah, India’s premier fast bowler, has been sidelined due to his prolonged recovery from a back injury sustained during the Sydney Test in January. This injury had previously ruled him out of the England white-ball series, and his latest scans in Bengaluru revealed he is still not ready to bowl.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Bumrah is expected to resume running in a few weeks and gradually return to bowling. However, there is no confirmed timeline for his full recovery. The BCCI medical team will continue to monitor his progress in Bengaluru.

Harshit Rana, who made his ODI debut in the ongoing series against England, has been named as Bumrah’s replacement. Rana shared the new ball with Mohammed Shami during the first ODI in Nagpur and has shown promise as a backup option.

This is the second consecutive ICC tournament Bumrah will miss, following his absence from the 2022 T20 World Cup due to a similar back injury that required surgery.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Varun Chakravarthy Updates

In another development, Yashasvi Jaiswal has been left out of the provisional squad, with Varun Chakravarthy taking his place. Chakravarthy, known for his unique spin variations, has been in impressive form, taking 31 wickets at an average of 11.25 since his return to India’s T20I squad. He recently made his ODI debut, taking 1 for 54 against England in Cuttack.

Mitchell Starc Opts Out

Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign has also taken a hit, with Mitchell Starc withdrawing from the tournament. The 35-year-old seamer has requested privacy regarding his decision, which follows a grueling Test season where he played all seven Tests against India and Sri Lanka between November and February.

With Starc out, Australia’s pace attack will rely on less experienced bowlers such as Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott, and Ben Dwarshuis, who collectively have 37 ODI appearances. This adds to Australia’s challenges, as they have already lost key players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh to injuries, along with Marcus Stoinis’ unexpected ODI retirement.

George Bailey, Australia’s chief selector, expressed respect for Starc’s decision, saying, “His loss is of course a blow for the Champions Trophy campaign but does provide an opportunity for someone else to make a mark on the tournament.”

Challenges Ahead for India and Australia

Both teams face an uphill battle as they prepare for the Champions Trophy without their star bowlers. For India, Bumrah’s absence leaves a significant void in the pace department, while for Australia, Starc’s withdrawal adds to their growing list of injuries, raising concerns about their bowling depth.

The ICC Champions Trophy promises intense competition, and both India and Australia will need to rely on emerging talent to compensate for their losses.