India Faces ICC Champions Trophy Without Jasprit Bumrah: Gautam Gambhir Backs Young Pacers to Shine

India will be without their ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, and head coach Gautam Gambhir aims to move past this setback and concentrate solely on the resources at his disposal to clinch the title.

Bumrah’s back injury, sustained during the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney earlier this year, has ruled him out of the marquee 50-over tournament, scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9.

Bumrah’s absence has opened the door for Harshit Rana, and Gambhir wants the young pacers in the squad to view this as a golden opportunity and make the most of it.
"When one player misses out, it can create a big break for another—that's the nature of sports. Hopefully, these guys (Rana and Arshdeep Singh) can step up, take responsibility, and contribute to the team’s success," Gambhir said after India thrashed England in the third ODI on Wednesday to complete a 3-0 series sweep.

With Bumrah unavailable, Mohammed Shami, who recently returned to the Indian squad following a year-long hiatus, will be the most seasoned fast bowler in the lineup.
"...It’s a fantastic chance for them to prove themselves for the nation—plain and simple. What we lack, we lack. What we possess, we must maximize, and we’ll proceed with a clear mindset," Gambhir added.

"I believe the players have shown great promise. Harshit has developed really well. Arsh (Arshdeep) bowled exceptionally today (Wednesday). Of course, Jasprit Bumrah’s presence will be felt," Gambhir acknowledged. "However, having a seasoned campaigner like Mohammed Shami back with his vast experience and skill is a major boost.

"We understand Bumrah’s importance, but as I mentioned, players like Harshit, Arsh, and Mohammed Shami are ready to step up and rise to the challenge," the coach concluded.