Cricket legends Ricky Ponting and Ravi Shastri believe that the potential absence of Bumrah could significantly weaken India\u2019s campaign, reducing their chances of winning by nearly 30-35%.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bumrah, who had a phenomenal 2024, was recently crowned the ICC Men\u2019s Cricketer of the Year and ICC Men\u2019s Test Cricketer of the Year at the ICC Awards. He was instrumental in India\u2019s victorious Men\u2019s T20 World Cup campaign and had a stellar season across formats.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, a back spasm sustained during the Sydney Test against Australia in January has kept him out of action since. While he has been named in India\u2019s initial Champions Trophy squad, his absence from the upcoming three-match ODI series against England has raised concerns over his fitness.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, speaking on The ICC Review, strongly advised against rushing Bumrah back into the side, highlighting the risk involved. He stressed that India has a busy international calendar ahead, and risking their premier fast bowler for a single tournament could have long-term consequences.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think it's high risk. There's too much big cricket coming up for India,\u201d Shastri told Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAt this stage of his career, I think he's too precious to be just called on for one game out of the blue and asked to deliver. The expectations will be so much. They'll think that he'll come in straight away and set the world on fire. It\u2019s never that easy when you come back from injury.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shastri also emphasised how vital Bumrah is to India\u2019s Champions Trophy aspirations, adding that his absence would be a massive blow to the team\u2019s plans.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBumrah not fit will reduce India's chances [of winning the Champions Trophy by 30%, literally by 30-35%,\u201d he said. \u201cWith a fully fit Bumrah playing, you are guaranteed those death overs. It would\u2019ve been a different ball game altogether.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting echoed Shastri\u2019s concerns, noting that Bumrah\u2019s workload in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy may have contributed to his injury. Ponting believes that the spotlight now shifts to Mohammed Shami, who has returned from his own injury layoff and featured in India\u2019s recent limited-overs series against England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMy biggest concern about India when they came for Australia in the Test series was Bumrah not having Shami there as a backup and him having to burden most of the load,\u201d Ponting said on The ICC Review.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAnd that's probably what happened, and might even have something to do with why he [Bumrah] got hurt. He probably ended up having to bowl a bit more in that series with Shami not being there.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, Ponting believes Shami\u2019s return is a positive sign for India. The veteran pacer has shown glimpses of his best, including an impressive spell of 3\/25 in the fourth T20I against England. His performance in the upcoming ODI series will be closely monitored to determine whether he can handle the demands of a full 10-over spell in 50-over cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shastri also weighed in on Shami\u2019s comeback, emphasising that his fitness and endurance will be tested in the upcoming ODIs against England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt will be interesting to see if India play him out in all three, or they give him the first one and the third one, and then ease him into the Champions Trophy,\u201d Shastri said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut he'll be watched very closely because 10 overs is totally different to four overs, and then you're going to see how he pulls up in the field as well having bowled those 10 overs.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shami last played an ODI for India in the 2023 ICC Men\u2019s Cricket World Cup final against Australia, where he finished as the tournament\u2019s highest wicket-taker. His ability to stay fit and bowl full spells in the Champions Trophy will be crucial for India, especially if Bumrah is not available.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut he'll be watched very closely because 10 overs is totally different to four overs, and then you're going to see how he pulls up in the field as well having bowled those 10 overs.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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