India’s star pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, has swiftly dismissed rumors claiming he was prescribed bed rest due to injury, amid growing concerns about his availability for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The 29-year-old cricketer took to social media on January 15 to deny the reports, calling the news “fake” and expressing his disbelief. Bumrah, who played a key role in India’s victory in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, sustained a back injury during the final Test.
Read more: Fakhar Zaman Focuses on Fitness Ahead of Champions Trophy
The injury was caused by back spasms and swelling, leading to concerns about his fitness for the Champions Trophy. His medical team has advised him to rest to reduce the swelling before determining the next steps in his recovery.
Earlier reports suggested that Bumrah had been told to rest at home and might miss the Champions Trophy, which starts on February 19. This fueled uncertainty over his place in the squad, which will be announced on January 19. Some sources also mentioned that Bumrah would visit the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, but the timeline was unclear.
In response, Bumrah made it clear on social media that the reports were exaggerated. “I know fake news is easy to spread, but this made me laugh. Sources unreliable,” he wrote, reassuring fans that his recovery was progressing well and he wasn’t confined to strict bed rest as suggested.
The BCCI, dealing with the injury scare, will finalize India’s squad for the Champions Trophy after the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. Bumrah’s recovery progress will influence the decision. Given India’s busy 2025 schedule—including the Champions Trophy, a series against England, the IPL, and a Test tour of England—the BCCI is likely to carefully manage his workload.
Bumrah’s injury concerns arise after a heavy workload during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he claimed 32 wickets, leading to scrutiny over the toll on his body, especially his back. A BCCI source had earlier mentioned that Bumrah was advised bed rest to help his muscles recover and the swelling subside, though there was no fixed date for his visit to the CoE.
