Selectors Decide Not To Risk 'Unfit' Bumrah For Champions Trophy

Pace spearhead has been nursing a lower back injury. Harshit Rana has been named his replacement

- Agencies

NEW DELHI: India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury, the BCCI said on Tuesday, putting to rest all the speculation over his participation in the premier tournament.

The senior men's team selection committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah's replacement for the mega event starting February 19 in Pakistan. India will open their campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.

The selectors have also included Varun Chakaravarthy in the team, the mystery spinner replacing batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was named in the provisional squad.

India will play all their matches of the tournament in Dubai under a hybrid model agreement.

Bumrah, who has already undergone a lower back surgery in 2022, sustained another stress-related injury while bowling in the final Test against Australia at Sydney, where he pulled out after sending down 10 overs in the first innings.

"Bumrah was asked to off-load for five weeks after which his rehabilitation at NCA happened under strength & conditioning trainer Rajnikanth and physio Thulasi.