Jasprit Bumrah won't start bowling till first week of February: Agarkar

India’s ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah might have been named in the team’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, but chief selector Ajit Agarkar has revealed that he and the management will only get clarity over Bumrah’s availability a fortnight from now, with the 31-year-old still not cleared to bowl.

Bumrah sustained a back injury in the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney, and the extent of the injury remains unknown, though India are hopeful that the setback will be minor.

It’s been confirmed that the speedster will miss at least the first two ODIs against England, for which Harshit Rana has been named as a backup.

“With Bumrah, we’re waiting to hear about his fitness and when he is likely to be available,” Agarkar said.

“I know he was asked to stay away from bowling for five weeks, which is early first week of February. We will find out a bit more around that time. 

“With regards to his medical condition, the BCCI might put something out. It’s better if the information comes from the medical department than me trying to explain what’s wrong with him. 

“But early February is the time frame we’ve been told. Hopefully he’ll be good to go after that. We’re hopeful.”

Bumrah is one of three specialist pacers in India’s Champions Trophy squad, with Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh being the other two. Interestingly, Mohammed Siraj, India’s highest wicket-taking pacer in ODIs since the start of 2023, was left out of the side’s CT2025 squad.