The Champions Trophy 2025, starting on February 19, has cricket fans eagerly awaiting Team India’s announcement. The tournament will be an ODI format, and India’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 might just be a blend of experience and rising talent. Fresh reports are coming in that the squad might feature some new faces while a few senior players might be excluded.
Key Inclusions and Exclusions
Talking of names, one of the most talked-about names is Yashasvi Jaiswal. This young left-handed opener has impressed the selectors and is one of the front-runners to make it to the squad. He will add much-needed left-handedness to the top-order.
The participation of some experienced players like KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Shami is also not sure. Rahul’s inconsistency, the dipping form of Jadeja as a batsman in white-ball cricket, and fitness issues of Shami have brought their places under scrutiny.
Reports also claim that Axar Patel might pip Jadeja, who has been more effective in the recent past in this format of the game. Spin options include Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, and Varun Chakravarthy, who, too are being considered, more so as Kuldeep recovers from his injury.
Pace and All-Rounder Options
Jasprit Bumrah, who has sustained a back injury recently, does not look assured of playing this match. Shami will come in handy only if he passes the fitness test. Hardik Pandya might be the head of the all-rounder department, though a few young players are waiting in the wings, including Nitish Reddy.
The Champions Trophy could very well be the last ICC event for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two stalwarts. Rohit will most likely be leading the side, but his form will be closely watched. The tournament could be a fitting swansong for these legends, considering their age and the jam-packed cricket calendar that follows.
The selectors have some tough calls to make ahead of the England ODI series and Champions Trophy, balancing experience with the energy of younger players.
India’s Squad for Champions Trophy 2025
Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rinku Singh/Tilak Verma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya (VC), Rishabh Pant (WK), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah/Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav/Ravi Bishnoi/Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Siraj, Nitish Reddy
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