Jasprit Bumrah is reportedly set to return to India’s 15-member squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy, according to a report by India Today. The star fast bowler, who had been sidelined due to a back spasm during the final Test against Australia in Sydney, is expected to be included in the squad, but his final inclusion will depend on his fitness. Sources suggest that the selectors are keen on having Bumrah play at least one competitive match before the tournament to gauge his readiness for the global event.

However, two prominent players who won’t be part of the squad are wicket-keeper Sanju Samson and in-form batter Karun Nair. While Samson was recently included in the squad for India’s T20I series against England, he is not expected to make the cut for the ODIs or the Champions Trophy. A key factor behind this decision is his absence from the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with selectors prioritizing domestic competition performance for national team selection.

Karun Nair, who had an outstanding run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with 752 runs from just eight matches, including five centuries, also faces exclusion. Despite his impressive form, selectors are reportedly hesitant to bring Nair back into the fold for a major tournament, especially after his last appearance for India in 2017. They believe it would be a risky move to include Nair without a longer build-up leading into the Champions Trophy.

The final squad for the tournament will be determined once Bumrah’s fitness is confirmed, but for now, it appears that both Samson and Nair will miss out on the prestigious event.