Former pacer Laxmipathy Balaji feels that Mohammed Shami can be the leader of the Indian bowling attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah during the Champions Trophy 2025. Bumrah was ruled out of the upcoming ICC event as the as he is recovering from a back issue.

India have decided to go with Shami, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh as their pace options with Hardik Pandya also pitching in.

Shami made his return to international cricket during the England T20I series and the ODIs, where he picked up only 2 wickets in 2 matches. However, Balaji feels Shami can step up in the absence of Bumrah. Speaking to PTI, the former pacer pointed out how Shami had outperformed Bumrah in the 2019 and 2023 World Cups in terms of wickets.

Balaji feels that Shami has to come good with the new ball if India are to do well in the Champions Trophy.

"Actually, he had out-bowled Bumrah in the 2019 (50-over World Cup) and in the last World Cup (2023). Bumrah is the champion bowler across formats. But Shami has experience and, before Bumrah's arrival, it was Shami who carried India's attack all through," said Balaji.

"I think it's very important. If India has to do well, then Shami has to come good with the new ball. The kind of impact he can make in his first six overs with the new ball, it will play a crucial role for India.

"Old ball is anyway...it is a defensive game now. If he can make early inroads regularly, that will give a huge boost to India."

Shami picked up 14 and 24 wickets during the 2019 and 2023 World Cups respectively.

'Shami is the leader of the pack right now'

Balaji went on to say that Shami is the leader of the pack right now and feels that if he can strike with the new ball early, it will help the young Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh perform well.

"Shami is the leader of the pack right now. I mean, he has been the leader of the pack for a long time now. If you see what Shami has done in 12 years of cricket and, especially, in Test cricket, it has been humongous.

"Now, if he starts striking with the new ball the confidence it gives to other bowlers will be huge," he said.

India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 with preparations in full swing after they reached Dubai.