India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 leaked; Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah roles approved
Leaving the disappointment of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2024-25. behind them, the Indian cricket team is now focusing on the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which starts on February 19 in Pakistan. India will play their matches in Dubai, while Pakistan will host the remaining seven nations.
Ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India will play three ODIs with the last match against England, but all participating teams have to submit their provisional squads for the tournament by January 12, so this series will not be of help to the national selectors.
KL Rahul will lead the wicket keeping for India in ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
After losing the 2023 World Cup title to Australia at home, the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 offers Rohit Sharma and other senior players another chance to secure the 50-over title for the last time. But injuries and fitness issues are hampering India’s preparations for the tournament.
Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Ravindra Jadeja’s participation under major threat
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are said to be all set to form India’s batting core for the upcoming prestigious tournament. The Indian Express suggested that KL Rahul is expected to retain his place as the wicket-keeper batsman in India’s ODI squad for the eight-nation tournament following his consistent performances.
With a dearth of left-handed options at the top, young batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal is also likely to be selected as a back-up opener for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. The inclusion of a young opener could bring variety and much-needed balance to the Indian line-up.
Sanju Samson has probably beaten Rishabh Pant in the race to be the back-up goalkeeper for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
On the other hand, the battle for the second wicketkeeper slot is heating up between Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson. Pant only made 50 overs in Sri Lanka after his accident, but it only ended in a disappointing six-run defeat. Now he faces stiff competition from Sanju Samson.
On the other hand, Samson’s last ODI appearance in South Africa in 2023 was a turnaround. He smashed his first ODI century of the tour and helped India win the series in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya is a sure shot in the Indian XI, providing balance with his all-round ability. However, the Indian cricket team has to decide if a bowling backup is needed or if the bowling all-rounders will make the most of the slow UAE conditions at CT 2025.
Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are all set to win the all-rounder spot in India’s CT 2025 squad.
Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja and Riyan Parag are all in contention. With strong white ball form, Axar Patel is likely to surpass Ravindra Jadeja to spearhead the spin attack at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The last slot could be a rotation between Washington Sundar and Riyan Parag, with the latter’s left-hander offering an added edge to India’s batting.
On the other hand, India’s bowling line-up faces challenges with Jasprit Bumrah’s back problems and Mohammed Shami’s fitness concerns. Shami is set to return for the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts, while Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh have been confirmed for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Kuldeep Yadav’s recovery is being monitored and if he fails to get clearance from the NCA, Varun Chakaravarthy will be the favourite. If Bumrah and Shami fail to reach full fitness, India will look to Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar and Harshit Rana to replace them in the squad.
