Former England pacer Steve Harmison has underscored the irreplaceable character of the fast bowler by drawing a shocking parallel between football legend Cristiano Ronaldo and India's best pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
If Bumrah misses the ICC Champions Trophy due to injury, it will be similar to a FIFA World Cup without Ronaldo at his peak, according to Harmison.
Bumrah played a crucial role in India's Test series against Australia and may not make the cut for India's Champions Trophy group stage, which is being hampered by a back stress reaction. Harmison, on the other hand, is insistent that India retain him in the squad until the end to try and take the team to the knockout stages.
"He's Jasprit Bumrah. For me, you cannot substitute for Jasprit Bumrah at any cost. I would even reach the morning of final and take him that far because he is Jasprit Bumrah. He is the best in the world. That would be my take from the Indian point of view," Harmison said talking to TalkSport Cricket.
Harmison compared Ronaldo's absence at a football World Cup to a Champions Trophy sans Bumrah. India could "carry him around in a sedan chair" during the event, Harmison quipped, and hope for his availability when it matters by the semifinal or final stages.
"It's like going to a football World Cup without your best striker, Cristiano Ronaldo. Fifteen years ago, you don't replace Ronaldo until you have to. That's what I imagine India will do with Bumrah.".
It is a 14-man squad. That is good enough to get me through the group games. We might get him by the semifinal, more than the semifinal. If he's not fit, we'll replace him just in case we have another injury. But he's Jasprit Bumrah," Harmison stated.
Jasprit Bumrah's injury status is still up in the air and his selection for Champions Trophy 2025 depends on his recovery.
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