Several top cricketers have been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to injuries, dealing a major blow to their respective teams.
Pakistani opener Saim Ayub, who recently fractured his right ankle during the South Africa tour, has been sidelined and is expected to remain out for over a month.
Team Australia has been hit hard, with Pat Cummins (ankle), Josh Hazlewood (side and calf), and Mitchell Marsh (back) all unavailable.
Additionally, experienced fast bowler, Mitchell Starc, has opted out due to personal reasons, further weakening the Kangaroos’ squad.
South Africa’s Anrich Nortje is also out with a back injury and has been replaced by Corbin Bosch, while Gerald Coetzee has been sidelined due to a groin issue.
Afghanistan’s AM Ghazanfar is out with a fractured vertebra, while England’s Jacob Bethell, sidelined by a hamstring injury, has been replaced by Tom Banton.
India, too, faces a setback, as pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out due to a lower back injury sustained in the final Test against Australia in Sydney last month.
With multiple teams facing injury concerns, the dynamics of the marquee tournament could shift significantly.