India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has swiftly refuted reports claiming he had been prescribed bed rest due to an injury, amid growing speculation about his participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The 29-year-old paceman took to social media on January 15 to address the rumors, expressing his disbelief and labelling the news as “fake.”
Bumrah, who had been instrumental in India’s victory during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 against Australia, sustained a back injury during the final Test of the series.
The issue was primarily due to back spasms and swelling, which prompted concerns about his fitness for the upcoming Champions Trophy. His medical team has advised him to rest as part of his recovery, with a focus on reducing the swelling before determining the next steps for rehabilitation.
Reports circulating earlier this week had suggested that Bumrah had been instructed to rest at home and may not be available for India’s squad for the Champions Trophy, scheduled to begin on February 19.
The speculation led to widespread uncertainty regarding his inclusion in the team, especially with the national squad set to be announced on January 19. Additionally, sources mentioned that Bumrah would be reporting to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, though the timeline for his visit remained unclear.
However, Bumrah’s response on social media made it clear that the reports were exaggerated. "I know fake news is easy to spread, but this made me laugh. Sources unreliable," he posted, accompanied by a laughing emoji. His statement was an attempt to reassure fans and the cricketing fraternity that his recovery was on track and that he was not confined to strict bed rest, as had been previously suggested.
The BCCI, while dealing with the injury scare, is expected to finalize India’s squad for the Champions Trophy following the conclusion of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. The decision will largely depend on Bumrah's recovery progress. With India’s packed calendar for 2025—including the Champions Trophy, a series against England, the Indian Premier League (IPL), and a Test tour of England—the BCCI is expected to exercise caution in managing Bumrah’s workload.
Bumrah’s injury concerns come at a time when his workload in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he claimed 32 wickets, has been a subject of scrutiny. Despite his impressive performances, the toll on his body, particularly his back, was inevitable.
"Bumrah could go to the CoE next week, but right now there is no fixed date. He has been advised bed rest at home to help the muscles recover and the swelling to subside," a BCCI source had earlier stated.
