Bumrah out, but it’s ‘always good to have world-class’ Shami back for India

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 has said.

Bumrah was ruled out of the 50-over tournament starting on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai in a big blow to India’s chances of landing the title.

India – ranked No.1 in ODI cricket – hammered England by 142 runs in the final match on Wednesday to sweep the series 3-0 in a perfect tune-up for the Champions Trophy.

But Bumrah’s lower back injury remained the talking point after India’s triumph in Ahmedabad.

“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.

“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.”

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.

Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh claimed two wickets in the only outing in the final match.

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.

The 34-year-old 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.

“Look, it’s always good to have a world-class bowler back,” said Gambhir.

“With his experience, with his quality, we all know what he can do with the ball in his hand.”

Shami returned with five wickets in T20s and ODIs after he was made to skip matches, but bowled long spells with speed and precision.

“Obviously, we were trying to manage his workload,” said the former left-handed Indian batter Gambhir.

“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.”

India begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, before they clash with arch-rivals Pakistan three days later in Dubai.

AFP

India Squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.