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Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev has weighed in on the growing injury concerns within the Indian cricket team, particularly regarding Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The former World Cup-winning captain believes that constant cricket throughout the year has increased the risk of injuries but emphasized that team success matters more than individual players.
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India to Miss Jasprit Bumrah in Champions Trophy 2025
The Indian National Cricket Team has faced multiple injury setbacks in the past few months, with key players missing crucial matches. This trend continues as Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The star pacer sustained an injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, after bowling over 150 overs in five matches. Since then, he has been out of action, and despite rehabilitation efforts, BCCI recently confirmed that he hasn’t regained full fitness, leading to his replacement by Harshit Rana.
This leaves India with only one experienced fast bowler in Mohammed Shami, who himself is returning from an ankle injury sustained during the ICC World Cup 2023. Shami, who missed over a year of international cricket, recently made his comeback in the T20I series against England.
Kapil Dev on Bumrah’s Injury: “It’s a Team Game, Not About Individuals”
Speaking to the Indian Express, Kapil Dev shared his perspective on player injuries, stating that frequent injuries are expected due to the relentless schedule cricketers face.
“The only thing that worries me is that they play for 10 months a year — injuries will be much more common.”
When asked about Jasprit Bumrah’s absence and its impact on India’s Champions Trophy campaign, the cricket legend had a no-nonsense response:
“Why talk about someone who is not in the team? It’s a team game, and the team has to win, not individuals. This is not badminton, tennis, or golf; we are playing a team sport in the Champions Trophy. If we play as a team, we will definitely win.”
“If a Player Gets Injured, You Can’t Do Anything” – Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev further added that while no team wants their key players to get injured, such situations are beyond control. Instead, he urged the team to focus on the available players and give their best.
“You never want your main players to get injured, but if it happens, you can’t do anything about it. Good luck to my Indian team — go and play well.”
He also praised the new generation of Indian cricketers, highlighting their unwavering confidence and fearless approach.
“When you see the youngsters, their confidence is unbelievable. We didn’t have this much confidence when we were young. Good luck to them.”
India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Campaign Begins on February 20
India will kick off their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium on February 20. With Bumrah missing, it will be interesting to see how India’s pace attack performs in this high-stakes tournament.
