Ravi Shastri does not want Bumrah to bowl for India in ICC Champions Trophy

Former head coach Ravi Shastri feels that not playing the injured Jasprit Bumrah in the ICC Champions Trophy might be the smartest decision, considering Team India's long-term prospects.

Bumrah is a major doubt for the 50-over event in Pakistan and the UAE. The pacer, who suffered back spasms in the fifth Test against Australia at Sydney in January, is undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

"I think it's high risk. There's too much big cricket coming up for India," Shastri has warned against rushing Bumrah back too soon.

"And at this stage of his career, I think he's too precious to be just called on for one game out of the blue and asked to deliver. The expectations will be so much. They'll think that he'll come in straight away and set the world on fire. It's never that easy when you come back from injury," Shastri said in the latest edition of ICC Review.

Bumrah's importance
According to Shastri, a fit Bumrah will significantly improve India's chances of winning the event. Due to diplomatic tension with Pakistan, India will play their matches in the UAE.

"Bumrah not fit will reduce India's chances (of winning the Champions Trophy) by 30%, literally by 30-35%," Shastri said.

"With a fully fit Bumrah playing, you are guaranteed of those death-overs. It would've been a different ball game altogether," he added.

Bumrah was recently crowned the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year 2024 and the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year 2024. He was instrumental in India lifting the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA last year.