Why Jonny Bairstow Is Not Playing
Jonny Bairstow, a well-known England cricketer, has been a powerful batsman and reliable wicketkeeper for many years, exciting fans with his aggressive style and big scores. However, for the Champions Trophy 2025, his absence from the England squad has left many Indian fans, especially those who follow cricket closely, wondering about the reasons behind this decision.
To put it simply, Jonny Bairstow was not selected for the England team for the Champions Trophy 2025, which is being held in Pakistan. The England Cricket Board (ECB) announced the squad in December 2024, and Bairstow’s name was missing from both the India tour and the Champions Trophy line-up.
Instead, players like Jos Buttler, Joe Root, and younger talents like Jacob Bethell and Jamie Smith were chosen. This decision came after Bairstow’s recent struggles with form, particularly since his return from a serious leg injury in 2022.
During the 2023 ODI World Cup, he scored only 276 runs at an average of 30.66, and in the 2024 T20 World Cup, his performances were inconsistent, showing only flashes of his earlier brilliance. Additionally, in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, while playing for Punjab Kings, he managed 298 runs at an average of 29.80, which was decent but not enough to secure his spot.
The ECB seems to have prioritized players who are currently in better form or younger talents who can adapt to the challenging conditions in Pakistan. For Indian fans who admire Bairstow’s hard-hitting batting (Jonny Bairstow performance), this news might be disappointing, but it reflects the team’s strategy to build a squad for the future while focusing on current performances.
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Jonny Bairstow’s Injury and Form (Jonny Bairstow Injury)
Another key reason for Jonny Bairstow not playing in the Champions Trophy 2025 is his journey after a major injury that affected his career. In September 2022, Bairstow suffered a freak accident while playing golf, breaking his left leg in three places. This injury forced him to miss the 2022 T20 World Cup, which England won, and kept him out of action for several months.
When he returned in 2023, he showed determination, especially during the Ashes, but his performances in white-ball cricket, like ODIs and T20s, were not as strong as before.
In the 2023 ODI World Cup, his batting average was lower than expected, and in the IPL, he struggled to make a big impact consistently. The ECB selectors, led by managing director Rob Key, have noted that Bairstow’s form across all formats has been declining slightly since the injury.
They believe he needs time to regain his peak performance, which he showed during England’s 2019 World Cup win, where he scored back-to-back centuries against India and New Zealand. For Indian fans, especially those who don’t follow complex cricket terms, it’s like Bairstow is taking a break to get back to his best, while the team picks players who are performing well right now (England cricket team selection).
England’s New Strategy for the Champions Trophy (Champions Trophy 2025 Squad)
England’s cricket team is undergoing a big change under their new coach, Brendon McCullum, who now leads both the Test and white-ball teams. For the Champions Trophy 2025, England has chosen a squad that mixes experienced players like Joe Root and Jos Buttler with younger stars like Harry Brook and Phil Salt.
This shift shows England’s focus on building a team that can handle the tricky pitches in Pakistan, where spin bowling and steady batting are crucial.
Bairstow, despite being a centrally contracted player until October 2025, was left out because the selectors felt other players could better fit this strategy. For example, Phil Salt and Ben Duckett are being used as openers, a role Bairstow excelled in during the 2019 World Cup, but his recent form didn’t convince the selectors to pick him over them.
Additionally, Jamie Smith has been chosen as the backup wicketkeeper, taking the spot Bairstow might have filled. Indian fans who love watching Bairstow’s aggressive shots (Jonny Bairstow batting) might feel he could have been useful on the fast-scoring pitches in Pakistan, but England’s selectors are looking at a different combination to win the tournament.
Jonny Bairstow England Career
Even though Jonny Bairstow is not playing in the Champions Trophy 2025, he has not given up on returning to the England team. At 35 years old, he remains a contracted player and has expressed his desire to play for England again.
In a recent statement during Yorkshire’s pre-season media day in March 2025, Bairstow said he would be “stupid” not to aim for a comeback, showing his determination to fight back. He is currently playing for Yorkshire in the County Championship and is likely to captain the team in red-ball cricket, which could help him regain his form.
In the past, Bairstow has bounced back from tough times, like when he scored four centuries in five innings during England’s 2022 Test season, earning him awards like the Wisden Trophy.
For Indian fans who follow cricket with passion (cricket fans in India), Bairstow’s absence from the Champions Trophy doesn’t mean his career is over. Instead, it’s a chance for him to work hard, score runs, and prove he can return to the England team for future tournaments like the 2027 World Cup.
Jonny Bairstow Comeback
For Indian cricket fans, especially those who don’t read complex sports articles, Jonny Bairstow’s absence from the Champions Trophy 2025 might feel like a big loss because of his exciting style of play. However, the England team’s decision to leave him out is based on his recent performances and their plan to try new players.
Bairstow’s history shows he is a fighter, and he has come back from challenges before, like his injury in 2022. He is already playing domestic cricket for Yorkshire and performing in leagues like the SA20, where he scored 232 runs for Joburg Super Kings.