The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce the Indian squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be played in Pakistan and Dubai. The official announcement is expected on January 18, with a press conference led by Ajit Agarkar, chairman of selectors, and skipper Rohit Sharma.
India and Pakistan are the only two national teams that have yet announced their provisional squads for the Champions Trophy. The ICC had set January 12 as the deadline for all eight participating nations to reveal their preliminary squads, but India’s announcement was delayed due to concerns over the fitness of key players.
The Indian squad for the Champions Trophy will be selected on January 18
According to Sports Today, India’s squad for the Champions Trophy will be selected on January 18 in Mumbai, followed by a press conference with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma.
Veteran opener Rohit Sharma is likely to lead the team in the upcoming ICC tournament scheduled to begin on February 19.
Team India is playing a three-match ODI series against England
Earlier reports suggested that the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy would be announced by January 12. However, in an interview with Sports Tak, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla confirmed that a meeting will be held on January 18 to finalize India’s squad for the upcoming marquee tournament. .
The BCCI has revealed the T20I squad for the series against England, which starts on January 22. India are also scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against England. The announcement of the ODI squad and Champions Trophy squad is expected to be announced during the press conference.
India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20
Players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya seem certain to make the squad. There are no clear updates on pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s participation, as he bowled just 10 overs in the fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test against Australia in Sydney due to back spasms.
Mohammad Shami, who has been active in domestic cricket, remains uncertain about his fitness and selection. Kuldeep Yadav continued to put the ball in the net but his fitness is still not confirmed. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is expected to be a key inclusion due to his experience and all-round ability.
India have been placed in Group A along with Bangladesh, New Zealand and Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Their campaign will begin on February 20 against Bangladesh, followed by a high-profile match against Pakistan on February 23. India will play their last group stage match against New Zealand on March 2.
All matches will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. If India qualify for the semi-finals, they will play their first match on March 4. The final will also be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium if it goes through. The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the final if India fail.
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