India, Feb. 12 -- India will be without Jasprit Bumrah in their bid to win the Champions Trophy for the first time since 2013. The fast bowler, who is rated by many as the best across formats, was officially withdrawn from the squad on Tuesday night after the Ajit Agarkar-led senior BCCI selection committee did not want to risk him for an entire tournament without match practice. Bumrah had been out of action ever since hurting his back in the final Test against Australia in Sydney. While Bumrah's absence came as a major blow to India's Champions Trophy campaign even before it even started, what raised eyebrows was India's choice of replacement.

Agarkar and his selection committee chose to go with an inexperienced Harshit Rana instead of...