India, Feb. 17 -- Jasprit Bumrah's absence in the 2025 Champions Trophy has been called a body blow to India's chances of winning the tournament but Rohit Sharma's side may not be affected too much if Mohammed Shami comes good, former pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji has said. The back injury that Bumrah sustained during the five-Test series in Australia has resulted in him having to sit out of the Champions Trophy.

At the same time, though, Mohammed Shami, whose absence India felt heavily in Australia, also returns for the Champions Trophy after a lengthy absence due to injury. Shami returned to action for India this year on January 28 in a T20I against England and that was his first international match since the 2023 World Cup final in Novemb...