‘No one can be like Bumrah’ – Aakash Chopra gives his candid opinion about ace pacer’s likely unavailability for Champions Trophy 2025

Former India batter Aakash Chopra made a huge statement about Jasprit Bumrah ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 tournament. The 31-year-old will head to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) after suffering from swollen back during the Sydney Test match. 

After the latest injury concerns, there are doubts over Jasprit Bumrah being ready to play the tournament starting in February. According to Aakash Chopra, if Bumrah were to miss the tournament it will be a huge loss for Rohit Sharma’s side. The 47-year-old made these statements while speaking on his YouTube channel. 

Former India opening batter said, “It is being said that Jasprit Bumrah won't be available for the first half of the Champions Trophy, which means he won't be available for the matches against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Pakistan, and that is a massive blow.”

Aakash Chopra speaks about Bumrah’s importance for India 

The 47-year-old also said, “You will have to look at it from multiple perspectives. Firstly, no one can replace Jasprit Bumrah. You will need two bowlers to replace one bowler, which is not possible. Secondly, when you talk about the February month in Dubai, the ball is going to swing.”

According to Aakash Chopra the pitches in Dubai may not favor the batters and this is Bumrah’s absence can be crucial. “There will be slight help for the bowlers on those pitches. We might not see high-scoring 350-run matches as the pitches won't be like that. So when you have to play a different template of cricket, you need firepower in fast bowling, and if you remove the biggest Bhramastra from that firepower, the quiver will seem empty, and he will be missed a lot."

The former India star said that there are chances that Bumrah could be fit to play the knockout matches. Chopra added if India do make it to the final four, the 31-year-old pacer has to be fully fit. “He might be available in the second half but India have to reach the second half. Bumrah will only be of help if you reach the semi-final. Now I am keeping my fingers crossed. I am just hoping for Indian cricket. I really want Bumrah to be available and fit, and rearing to go”

Finally, the 47-year-old also named potential replacements if Bumrah isn’t fit for the event “However, if he isn't available, I don't have an answer at all to that question at the moment. Arshdeep, Siraj, and then you will have to start looking. Who will you take with them? It could be Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar or Harshit Rana. There can be many but no one can be like Bumrah."