India cricket team might have already been dealt with a blow after the injury scare suffered by Jasprit Bumrah in IND vs AUS Test series. The team now stands at a point where they could potentially enter the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 without the services of either of their first-choice white-ball format bowlers. While Bumrah’s participation hinges on the update that is yet to be provided by the BCCI medical team, Shami is yet to make a complete recovery from injury flare-ups that have deterred his comeback despite returning to competitive cricket at the domestic level.
India shouldn’t rush Shami for CT 2025
After returning to competitive cricket in the latter half of Ranji Trophy and SMAT, Shami faced a setback due to swelling in his knees. This complication kept him out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the first-half of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. While he did return for Bengal’s round six and seven fixtures, he delivered a sub-par performance with spells of 1/28 and 1/40. The veteran pacer, who is also one of India’s best ODI bowlers, shouldn’t be rushed by the BCCI to make his international return without making a complete recovery and finding his rhythm. Else, the team would only be cutting short his career that has already been marred by injuries.
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Reports had stated that Shami would be in contention for IND vs ENG ODI series and subsequently for a spot in the Champions Trophy squad based on his performance in Vijay Hazare Trophy. While his bowling clearly indicates that he is yet to rediscover his prime form, it would be foolish for India to include him and then put him at the risk of further complicating his injury and thereby extending his stay on the sidelines.
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Average |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 89 | 149 | 4.59 | 23.55 |
| Mohammed Shami | 101 | 195 | 5.55 | 23.68 |
There is no doubt that Bumrah and Shami are India’s frontline bowlers across formats. Their participation or absence would affect the Men in Blue in a big manner in CT 2025. Yet, rushing either one of them to particpate in the tournament while they face injury concerns would be a nail that the BCCI would be hammering in their own leg. For all we know, the veteran pacer duo still have a lot of years left in terms of contributing to the Indian team. At their lethal best, they are the most terrorizing bowlers that can dismantle any opposition. But the team simply can’t afford to lose both of them simultaneously for a long period of time. Hence, it would be wise to give them the time they need to recover completely before deploying them in the future.
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