The Indian cricket team might face a significant setback ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy as star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the group-stage matches.  

According to Indian media, Bumrah has been diagnosed with a back inflammation, an issue that first surfaced during the Sydney Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.  

The pacer has been instructed to report to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, and the selection committee has already been informed about his fitness status.  

Bumrah has been excluded from the T20I squad for the upcoming series against England. Meanwhile, reports suggest that India has requested an extension from the ICC to submit their preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy.  

Today marks the official deadline for submitting preliminary squads, but selectors are keen to finalize India’s squad closer to the tournament, based on Bumrah’s fitness updates.  

Indian media indicates that Bumrah is expected to regain full fitness by the first week of March. Notably, India’s final group-stage match is scheduled against New Zealand on March 2 in Dubai.