Malik Waqar
Former England pacer Steve Harmison has likened Jasprit Bumrah’s possible absence from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to Cristiano Ronaldo missing a football World Cup, emphasising the pacer’s irreplaceable value.
India are set to make a final call on Bumrah’s availability on February 11, as the fast bowler continues rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.
The 31-year-old has not played since the Sydney Test, where he left the field due to an injury in the first innings.
While included in India’s provisional squad, concerns over a potential stress fracture in his back cast doubt on his participation.
Speaking to TalkSport, Harmison urged India to keep Bumrah in the squad until the last possible moment.
“He’s Jasprit Bumrah. For me, you can’t replace Jasprit Bumrah anytime. I would even go up to the morning of the final to take him that far because he’s the best in the world,” Harmison said.
He compared the situation to Ronaldo’s presence in a football World Cup.
“It’s like going to a World Cup without your best striker, Cristiano Ronaldo. 15 years ago, you don’t replace Ronaldo until you have to.”
Harmison suggested that India should retain Bumrah in the squad even if he cannot play in the group stage, holding out hope for his availability in the knockout rounds.
India begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, placed in Group A alongside Pakistan and New Zealand.
