Champions Trophy 2025: Complete list of All Major Stars Missing in Action

The excitement for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is building up, but the absence of several top cricketers has left fans disappointed and teams scrambling to find replacements. Injuries, personal reasons, and even unexpected retirements have ruled out some of the biggest names in cricket from the prestigious tournament. Among the most affected teams are Australia, India, South Africa, and Pakistan, all of which will have to redraw their strategies due to these major setbacks.

India

Jasprit Bumrah

India’s ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will miss the tournament due to a lower back injury sustained during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Bumrah, who has been instrumental in India’s bowling attack, has been ruled out just weeks before the tournament, leaving a massive gap in India’s pace department. The Indian selectors have called up Harshit Rana as his replacement, but filling Bumrah’s shoes will be an uphill task for the young bowler.

Australia

Pat Cummins

Australia’s campaign will be significantly weakened by the absence of their captain and first-choice pace bowler, Pat Cummins. The star fast bowler suffered an ankle injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has forced him to miss both the Champions Trophy and Australia’s recent series against Sri Lanka. His leadership and bowling prowess will be sorely missed by the Australian squad.

Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc, one of the world’s premier left-arm fast bowlers, has also withdrawn from the tournament due to personal reasons. Starc’s ability to swing the ball at high speeds and deliver deadly yorkers during the death overs makes him a vital cog in Australia’s bowling unit. His absence will pose a major challenge for the team.

Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood is dealing with a hip injury sustained during the Test series against India. The fast bowler is undergoing an “extended period of rehabilitation,” with his struggles with side and calf strains limiting his participation in Australia’s recent matches. His unavailability further weakens Australia’s fast-bowling arsenal.

Mitchell Marsh

Allrounder Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out due to a long-standing lower back injury. Despite undergoing rehabilitation, his condition did not improve sufficiently, leading to the decision to rest him for an extended period.

Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis made an unexpected announcement by retiring from One-Day Internationals just months before the Champions Trophy. At 35, he decided to step away from the 50-over format to focus solely on T20 cricket. His absence will be felt in Australia’s middle order, as he was a dependable all-rounder and a key finisher for the team.

England

Jacob Bethell

England’s young batting allrounder Jacob Bethell has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained during an ODI against India in Nagpur. Bethell’s dynamic batting skills, particularly as a left-arm spinner on slow pitches, would have been crucial for England. To compensate, the selectors have called up Tom Banton as his replacement.

South Africa

Anrich Nortje

South Africa’s fast-bowling attack has taken a hit with the absence of Anrich Nortje. Known for his ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 150 km/h, Nortje has been struggling with a back injury since September 2023. His unavailability will be a major blow to South Africa’s pace attack.

Gerald Coetzee

Another setback for South Africa is the injury of Gerald Coetzee, who impressed during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Coetzee has been ruled out due to a groin injury sustained in an ongoing ODI tri-series in Pakistan. His ability to generate bounce and pace would have been crucial for South Africa’s bowling unit.

Afghanistan

Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Afghanistan’s spin attack will be weakened due to the absence of Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The star spinner suffered a sprain in his index finger and is still recovering from a shoulder injury that troubled him in the past. Afghanistan’s bowling unit will now rely more on Rashid Khan and other spinners to fill the gap left by Mujeeb’s absence.

Allah Ghazanfar

Afghanistan’s young spin sensation Allah Ghazanfar will also miss the tournament. The 18-year-old sustained a fracture in his L4 vertebra during a tour to Zimbabwe in late 2024. His absence removes a crucial spinning option for Afghanistan.

Pakistan

Saim Ayub

Pakistan’s young opener Saim Ayub will be sidelined due to a right ankle fracture sustained during the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The injury has forced Ayub to undergo surgery in the UK, ruling him out for several months. His aggressive batting approach at the top order would have provided Pakistan with an explosive start in the Champions Trophy.

The absence of these key players will significantly alter team dynamics in the Champions Trophy. While some squads have managed to find replacements, others will struggle to fill the void left by their star players. As the tournament progresses, the effectiveness of these substitutes will be under scrutiny, and teams will have to adapt quickly to new game plans.