With the ICC Champions Trophy making a comeback after eight years, India’s focus shifts to white-ball cricket. The ninth edition of the tournament will be played from February 19 to March 9 across Pakistan and the UAE. India will begin their campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh in Dubai, followed by a high-voltage clash against Pakistan on February 23.
Rohit Sharma Set to Captain India
All signs point to Rohit Sharma leading India in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Despite a poor run in recent Test matches, the experienced opener remains a pivotal figure in India’s white-ball plans. He is likely to resume his role at the top of the order, aiming to guide the team to their third Champions Trophy title.
As per multiple media reports, the squad is likely to be announced by 12th January.
Opening Options: Jaiswal or Gill?
Shubman Gill is expected to be Rohit’s primary opening partner. The young right-hander has been a consistent performer in ODIs, making him a reliable option. However, the inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal could provide India with a left-right opening combination. Jaiswal has already made his mark in Test Cricket. However, he is yet to make his debut for India in ODIs.
India’s middle order looks solid with the presence of Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul. All three batters scored over 500 runs in the ODI World Cup 2023, proving their mettle on the big stage. Alongside them, all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja bring valuable experience and balance to the squad.
Rishabh Pant is expected to reclaim his spot as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper. However, the fate of Nitish Kumar Reddy remains uncertain.
Concerns Over Bumrah and Kuldeep
One major concern for India is the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah. The pace spearhead missed crucial moments in the recent Australia series due to a back spasm. Reports suggest that if the injury is serious, Bumrah could be sidelined for at least three months. This will put his Champions Trophy participation in doubt.
Kuldeep Yadav’s situation is similar. The left-arm wrist-spinner underwent surgery for a groin injury in late 2024. He has yet to resume bowling. His unavailability would leave a significant gap in India’s spin department.
Bowling Options
If Jasprit Bumrah is unavailable, India’s pace attack will likely be led by Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh. Shami hasn’t played for India since the 2023 ODI World Cup final. However, he has found his rhythm again in domestic cricket.
Axar Patel could also be a key figure as a spin-bowling all-rounder. He can bat anywhere in the batting order and can also contribute well with his left-arm spin.
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