Before the start of ICC Champions Trophy 2025, bad news is coming one after the other for the teams. First Australia captain and experienced fast bowler Pat Cummins was ruled out of the tournament due to injury then doubts were raised over the performance of India’s star bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Now South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee is also out of the tournament due to injury.
Gerald Coetzee
South Africa’s emerging fast bowler Gerald Coetzee who was recently considered an important part of the team has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to injury. He felt a strain in his groin while bowling on Wednesday after which he was taken for a scan. After this, the medical report confirmed that he would not be able to participate in the upcoming tournament.
Coetzee was already out of the South African T20 League and now this new setback has increased the problems for the South African team management. Earlier superfast fast bowler Enrique Norkhia has also been ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury. Coetzee, who was included in the team in place of Norkhia, is also out now due to which the team will have to look for another replacement.
Big blow to Australia due to absence of Pat Cummins
Australian team captain and leading fast bowler Pat Cummins has also been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to an ankle injury. This information was given by Kangaroo team head coach Andrew McDonald himself.
The absence of Cummins may weaken the Australian bowling attack, because he is not only an excellent bowler but also plays an important role in captaincy. The team will now have to announce a new bowler and possible captain.
Will Bumrah be able to play Champions Trophy?
This tournament is not going to be easy for Team India also. Star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is suffering from a back injury and questions are being raised continuously about his fitness. Bumrah felt a back strain during the last match of the Australia tour, after which he was sent for a scan. Subsequently, he was selected for the ODI series against England, but was dropped from the third ODI.
Now it is not decided whether he will be fully fit for the Champions Trophy 2025 or not. If Bumrah is out of the tournament, it will be a big blow for the Indian team.
Champions Trophy will start from 19th February
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held from 19 February to 9 March. This time Pakistan has got a chance to host an ICC tournament for the first time since 1996. However, due to security reasons, all the matches of the Indian team will be played in Dubai. If India reaches the final, the final will also be held in Dubai, otherwise it will be held in Pakistan.
Important Dates:
19 February – Pakistan vs New Zealand (opening match of the tournament)
20 February – India vs Bangladesh (First match of Team India)
23 February – India vs Pakistan (Great Match)
Now it has to be seen what strategy the Indian team will use in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and whether South Africa will be able to find an effective alternative to Gerald Coetzee or not.
Read More: ICC Champions Trophy 2025
