India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been announced, and it includes two key fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, alongside a host of experienced players.
This marks a significant moment in Indian cricket, with a mix of seasoned performers and fresh faces making up the team, all set to compete in the prestigious tournament to be held in February 2025.
The announcement was made on January 18, 2025, by Ajit Agarkar from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters in Mumbai. Rohit Sharma will once again lead the team, while Shubman Gill has been named as his deputy.
Most of the squad from India’s recent successful ODI World Cup campaign has been retained, ensuring consistency in the team composition.
While many key players such as Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul remain part of the squad, the most notable additions are young players Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Jaiswal’s inclusion is especially significant as he has been one of India’s rising stars, having excelled in the Test and T20 formats. His inclusion in the ODI squad has been eagerly awaited by fans and experts alike, given his impressive record in domestic and international cricket.
Jaiswal has notched up over 1,500 runs in List A matches and is expected to complement the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.
Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are expected to take up the wicketkeeping duties, further strengthening India's middle order. In the spin department, India will have a formidable combination of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, offering both variety and depth.
The inclusion of these spinners gives India the flexibility to adapt to different playing conditions during the tournament.
Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion in the squad has been one of the most discussed topics leading up to the Champions Trophy. After suffering a back spasm during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, there were concerns regarding his fitness and availability for the tournament.
However, Bumrah has dismissed reports suggesting he would need extended bed rest, and his progress is being closely monitored. The BCCI remains hopeful that Bumrah, one of the best fast bowlers in the world, will be fully fit for the competition, offering a massive boost to India’s pace attack.
Mohammed Shami, another experienced pacer, is also making his return to the ODI squad. Shami had been sidelined after undergoing foot surgery following the 2023 World Cup final.
Despite facing setbacks during his recovery, Shami has regained form in domestic cricket, playing key roles for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Vijay Hazare Trophy. His inclusion strengthens the pace department, alongside Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.
Arshdeep Singh, who has been in excellent form, especially in limited-overs cricket, has been called up to provide extra pace and bounce to the squad.
His inclusion highlights India’s emphasis on having strong options in both the pace and spin departments, a strategy that will be crucial in a multi-nation tournament like the Champions Trophy.
One of the significant changes in the squad is the exclusion of Mohammed Siraj, with Arshdeep Singh taking his place. While Siraj has been in excellent form recently, the selectors appear to have opted for the left-arm pacer’s ability to add variation in the attack.
This decision reflects India’s balanced approach, with a strong emphasis on having a variety of bowlers who can adapt to different match situations.
India’s squad for the Champions Trophy brings together a blend of youth and experience, with a strong leadership core in Rohit Sharma and a promising group of young stars like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Arshdeep Singh.
The balance of spin and pace options will allow India to adapt to a variety of conditions and challenges that they may face during the tournament.
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