ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Laxmipathy Balaji backs Mohammed Shami to carry India's bowling attack in Jasprit Bumrah's absence

Mohammed Shami was India’s leading wicket taker in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

India have been labeled as one of the hot favourites heading into ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Asian giants are going to the tournament on the back of a dominant 3-0 ODI series whitewash against England in February.

Their chances, however, have taken a hit with Jasprit Bumrah’s back injury, which has ruled him out of the competition. Initially named in India’s provisional squad, Bumrah failed to recover in time which lead to his exclusion from the tournament.

Former Indian pacer Laxmipathy Balaji has now identified a bowler who can carry the Indian bowling attack in Bumrah’s absence.

Laxmipathy Balaji backs Mohammed Shami to carry India’s attack in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence

Speaking to PTI, Balaji named Mohammed Shami to lead India’s attack in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He emphasized that Shami had even outperformed Bumrah in the last two 50-over World Cups.

Balaji said, “Actually, he had out-bowled Bumrah in the 2019 (50-over World Cup) and in the last World Cup (2023). Bumrah is the champion bowler across formats. But Shami has experience and, before Bumrah’s arrival, it was Shami who carried India’s attack all through,“

The veteran Indian pacer added that for India to succeed in the competition, Shami will need to take wickets with the new ball.

He added, “I think it’s very important. If India has to do well, then Shami has to come good with the new ball. The kind of impact he can make in his first six overs with the new ball, it will play a crucial role for India.“

“Old ball is anyway…it is a defensive game now. If he can make early inroads regularly, that will give a huge boost to India.“

India will start their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. The Men in Blue head into the tournament with just three specialist pacers – Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana.

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