"That is a massive blow" - Aakash Chopra on star Indian pacer's reported unavailability for Champions Trophy 2025 group stage

Former player Aakash Chopra has reckoned that it would be a 'massive blow' for India if their star pacer Jasprit Bumrah isn't available for the Champions Trophy 2025 group stage. He opined that the unconventional seamer is irreplaceable.

The upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy will be played in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 onwards. Reports suggest Bumrah is unlikely to be available for the Men in Blue's Group A clashes against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' the cricketer-turned-commentator opined that Bumrah's reported unavailability would be a huge setback for India.

"It is being said that Jasprit Bumrah won't be available for the first half of the Champions Trophy, which means he won't be available for the matches against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Pakistan, and that is a massive blow." he said (2:00).

Chopra noted that no seamer can be as potent as Bumrah.

"You will have to look at it from multiple perspectives. Firstly, no one can replace Jasprit Bumrah. You will need two bowlers to replace one bowler, which is not possible. Secondly, when you talk about the February month in Dubai, the ball is going to swing," he observed.

The former India batter added that the Men in Blue would lose the most lethal weapon from their arsenal if the Gujarat seamer isn't available.

"There will be slight help for the bowlers on those pitches. We might not see high-scoring 350-run matches as the pitches won't be like that. So when you have to play a different template of cricket, you need firepower in fast bowling, and if you remove the biggest Bhramastra from that firepower, the quiver will seem empty, and he will be missed a lot," Chopra elaborated.

Bumrah suffered back spasms during the final Test of the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. He reportedly has swelling on his back and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) will monitor his recovery.

---

"I really want Bumrah to be available and fit, and rearing to go" - Aakash Chopra

Jasprit Bumrah has picked up 149 wickets at an average of 23.55 in 89 ODIs. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra expressed hope that Jasprit Bumrah is fit and available for the entire Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.

"He might be available in the second half but India have to reach the second half. Bumrah will only be of help if you reach the semi-final. Now I am keeping my fingers crossed. I am just hoping for Indian cricket. I really want Bumrah to be available and fit, and rearing to go," he said (3:55).

The former India opener added that the selectors and team management will find it difficult to identify a potent partner for Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj if Bumrah isn't available.

"However, if he isn't available, I don't have an answer at all to that question at the moment. Arshdeep, Siraj, and then you will have to start looking. Who will you take with them? It could be Prasidh (Krishna), Khaleel (Ahmed), Mukesh (Kumar) or Harshit Rana. There can be many but no one can be like Bumrah," Chopra observed.

Apart from the aforementioned players, Mohammed Shami could be in contention for a place in India's Champions Trophy squad. The veteran seamer has been picked in India's 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against England.