Bcci secy

ICC Champions Trophy:  The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia has backed the Indian team to be a strong contender to lift the ICC Champions Trophy despite the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Saikia credited the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for picking the best combination for the eight-team marquee competition. Young pacer Harshit Rana has been named Bumrah's replacement in the squad while senior speedster Mohammad Shami will lead the pace attack along with Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya.

"We have picked the best team for the Champions Trophy. And I believe we will win the trophy. India have such a big bench strength, and I don't think it (Jasprit Bumrah's absence) will have any major issue with the team combination," Saikia told IANS on Friday.