Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Jasprit Bumrah are among the top players who will not be featuring in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Here is the complete list of injured players who will miss the tournament.
The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy is set to commence on February 19, with defending champions Pakistan, who are also the hosts, taking on New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. The tournament, making its return after an eight-year hiatus, is already plagued by injuries to some of the best players in the game.
In this article, we will delve into the injury concerns faced by various teams and analyse the impact these setbacks could have on their campaigns in the Champions Trophy.
India – Jasprit Bumrah
India’s Jasprit Bumrah is one of the high-profile players set to miss this marquee tournament due to a back injury sustained during the Australia tour. This injury has ruled him out of the competition, where India will play all their games in Dubai.
The ace India pacer, who delivered a Player of the Tournament performance in the team’s recent T20 World Cup triumph, will be a significant loss. Bumrah was in exceptional wicket-taking form last year, and his absence will undoubtedly create a void in India's fast-bowling department.
In ODIs, Bumrah has been India’s go-to bowler, particularly in the death overs, and a key player in picking up wickets at crucial stages of an innings. Read More: Top takeaways for India from England series ahead of CT25
Australia – Multiple players
The reigning 50-over World Cup champions are undoubtedly the worst-affected team in terms of injuries and player unavailability. Their skipper, Pat Cummins, has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury, along with his long-time fast-bowling partner, Josh Hazlewood.
Adding to their woes, Australia’s prolific ICC tournament performer, Mitchell Starc, has opted out of the Champions Trophy due to personal reasons, while all-rounder Marcus Stoinis announced a shock retirement from the format. This means that, without the services of Mitchell Marsh, Australia are now missing five of their first-choice players.
While the experienced Steven Smith will take over as captain, the Aussies will face a tough challenge in their bid to go all the way in the tournament. They will need to find a winning rhythm early on to stand a chance at clinching their third Champions Trophy title. Read More: Top 5 batters to watch out for in Champions Trophy 2025
South Africa – Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee
South Africa, who have been in consistent form in recent ICC tournaments—reaching the finals of both the T20 World Cup and the World Test Championship—have already suffered a setback ahead of the Champions Trophy due to injuries to two of their frontline pacers, Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee.
Their ability to hit the deck hard and generate pace would have been ideal for the flat pitches in Pakistan. However, their absence leaves Kagiso Rabada as the only experienced frontline pacer in the Proteas' lineup. The Temba Bavuma-led side will now have to rely on an otherwise inexperienced bowling attack in the Champions Trophy and make the most of their available resources.
New Zealand and Pakistan
The teams set to kick off the showpiece event have their own share of fitness concerns. New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra suffered a freak injury during the tri-series game against Pakistan and is yet to be declared fit for the opener.
Similarly, Pakistan, already without their in-form opener Saim Ayub, will be sweating over the availability of Haris Rauf. The fast bowler sustained a lower chest muscle strain in the same tri-series. Both players are integral to their respective teams in this format. Read More: Top 5 spinners to watch out for in Champions Trophy 2025
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