One of the biggest reasons why India did not want to risk Jasprit Bumrah for the Champions Trophy 2025 was that the fast bowler is being looked at as India’s future Test captain. BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar had a difficult choice to make when the National Cricket Academy (NCA) medical team, headed by Nitin Patel, kept the ball in his court regarding Bumrah’s Champions Trophy participation. In their report, the NCA said that there was nothing wrong in Bumrah’s latest scan reports, but the No.1-ranked pacer had yet to start bowling in full tilt. Since the Champions Trophy was barely a week away, the selectors and the team management did not want to take a chance.
The need to protect Bumrah was not just because of what he brought to the table as a fast bowler – there is little doubt that he is currently the best bowler across formats – but also because of his leadership prospects. The BCCI have more or less finalised Bumrah as India’s next Test captain.
Current India captain Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be considered for Tests anymore, and Bumrah, who is the designated Test vice-captain, will take over as the leader from the England tour in June-July this year.
“It is understood that the main bone of contention was that Bumrah is yet to start bowling full tilt and those in the know of things said that it is very difficult to get match-fit in such a short time.
“Rather, he can come back for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and then lead India in England as Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be picked for Tests again,” PTI wrote.
Bumrah has led India in three Tests so far; on both occasions, Rohit was unavailable. The opener was battling Covid when Bumrah had to step up in the fifth and final Test against England in Birmingham in 2022. India lost that Test, but Bumrah showed signs of being a good leader. He got his next opportunity when Rohit arrived in Australia l
