Former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu has questioned the delay in India's squad announcement for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The deadline to announce the provisional squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was January 12. India and Pakistan are two teams who are yet to announce their squads.
India's fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is the main reason why the squad is yet to be announcement. Bumrah suffered back spasm during the fifth and final Test of the series against Australia in Sydney. An official update on his injury is yet to come from the BCCI medical team. Sidhu highlighted the importance of Bumrah and hopes he regains fitness ahead of the mega tournament.
"25 years of ICC history — India’s Champions Trophy squad announcement delayed for the first time ever. The January 12 deadline passed, the selectors & teammates wait with bated breath, 1.5 billion hearts pray and hope for the best, all eyes on Jasprit Bumrah. His name alone defines Indian cricket’s zenith, his brilliance commands global reverence," Sidhu wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter).
"Yet, the mystery of his injury looms large . This isn’t just a delay; it’s the weight of a nation’s hope riding on the shoulders of a legend. The cricketing world stands still, waiting for Bumrah’s triumphant return."
Earlier this week, BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla said that the announcement will come on January 18 or 19. Also, Sports Tak reported that Bumrah is likely to miss the entire group stage of Champions Trophy 2025 including the high voltage clash against co-hosts Pakistan scheduled to be played on February 23.
Sidhu backs Indian team in limited overs format after BGT debacle
Earlier this month, Sidhu had backed the Indian team after their series defeat in Australia leading to them getting knocked out of ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final race.
"Never look back , something might be gaining on you ….. India still top of the (world emoji) in limited overs cricket , won the World Cup 2024 under @ImRo45 and has won 14 out of 17 T -20 matches under the dynamic @surya_14kumar 82% wins - post World Cup 2023 won 9 out of 10 matches , result 90% defeating SA and Sri Lanka in their own den …. Sky is the limit for India in the shorter version of the game . Much better to look at the brighter side of life…" he wrote.
Before the Champions Trophy 2025, India will go up against England in a five-T20I series followed by a three-ODI series at home. The T20I series will begin on January 22.