Exactly a week from now (February 19), hosts Pakistan will be taking on New Zealand in the tournament opener of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Eight of the top teams in the world will go against each other for the coveted trophy, which was last won by Pakistan in 2017. They defeated India by 180 runs to clinch the title. India, after losing the ODI World Cup, will be desperate to win the entire thing. But the team has suffered a major blow after news surfaced that their talisman pacer Jasprit Bumrah would not be able to feature due to an injury. Harshit Rana has been roped in as his replacement. However, India is not the only team weakened by high-profile injuries. We look at some of the other notable exclusions in the tournament this year:
Star Players Who Will be Missing the 2025 Champions Trophy Tournament:
Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc rarely misses an international assignment. He recently toured Sri Lanka for the two-match Test series, where he played as the only fast bowler of the team. When Australia announced their main squad for the Champions Trophy, Starc's name was not there. He has pulled out of the tournament owing to personal reasons and has asked the board and fans to respect his privacy.
Pat Cummins
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins will miss the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to an injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In his absence, Steven Smith will be leading the team in the Champions Trophy, similar to the ongoing Australia tour of Sri Lanka. Cummins, who led Australia to the World Cup title in 2023, will be sorely missed.
Josh Hazlewood
It was during the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Gabba when Josh Hazlewood complained of a strain in his right calf and eventually missed the last two Tests of the series. Hazlewood, who has had a history of sides and calf injuries, will be watching his team from the comfort of his home. Losing three frontline pacers in Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood is a massive blow for the Australian team.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has been sidelined from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a lower back injury he endured during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. Since then, he has since been in rehabilitation. This development is a major setback for India, as Bumrah is a pivotal part of their pace attack, renowned for his exceptional yorkers and wicket-taking ability.
Anrich Nortje
Anrich Nortje, the South African fast bowler, had to withdraw his name from the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 due to a recurring back injury. His last ODI appearance came almost two years ago, in Bloemfontein against Australia. South Africa have announced a 30-year-old Corbin Bosch as his replacement. The Proteas would definitely miss the extreme pace and threat that Nortje carries.
Jacob Bethell
England's 21-year-old batting prodigy Jacob Bethell sustained an injury in his left hamstring during the first ODI against India, where he scored 51 runs. Bethell's injury put him on the sideline for the Champions Trophy. England have called the fiery opening batter Tom Banton as his replacement.
Allah Ghazanfar
Afghanistan spinner Allah Ghazanfar will miss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after suffering a lower back fracture during the team's recent tour of Zimbabwe. The injury will sideline him for a minimum of four months, including the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League.
Saim Ayub
Saim Ayub has been sidelined from the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 following an ankle fracture incurred during the second Test match against South Africa in January. The injury, sustained while fielding, has resulted in a right ankle fracture. This is a major setback for Pakistan, as Ayub was in outstanding form prior to his injury, having recorded consecutive ODI centuries in South Africa.
