Jasprit Bumrah's absence from India's Champions Trophy team will be an opportunity for "world-class" Mohammed Shami and other fast bowlers, coach Gautam Gambhir said Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bumrah was ruled out of the 50-over tournament starting February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai in a big blow to India's chances of landing the title.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India -- ranked number one in ODI cricket -- hammered England by 142 runs in the final match to sweep the series 3-0 in a perfect tune-up for the Champions Trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Bumrah's lower back injury remained the talking point after India's triumph in Ahmedabad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"If he's injured, he's injured, whether it's me, whether it's the captain, we can't do much about it," Gambhir told reporters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Obviously, we know that he's an important factor. But as I mentioned, people like Harshit (Rana), Arshdeep (Singh), Mohammed Shami, all these guys will put their hand up. It's a great opportunity for them to try and deliver for the country."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Fast bowler Harshit Rana was handed his ODI debut at the start of the series and he returned with six wickets in the three matches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh claimed two wickets in the only outing in the final match.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But it is Shami's return at the start of the white-ball series that has boosted India's morale ahead of the eight-nation Champions Trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shami, 34, recovered from a heel injury to make his international return in the T20 matches after he went on a break following India's 2023 World Cup final loss to Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Look, it's always good to have a world-class bowler back," said Gambhir.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"With his experience, with his quality, we all know what he can do with the ball in his hand."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shami returned with five wickets in T20s and ODIs after he was made to skip matches but bowled long spells with speed and precision.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Obviously, we were trying to manage his workload," said the former India batsman. "That's the reason why we played him two T20s and two one-dayers. Hopefully, he's going to be fresh and ready to go in the Champions Trophy."<\/p>\r\n\r\n