On January 18, 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to take place in Dubai and Pakistan.
Rohit Sharma will lead the 15-member team, with Shubman Gill appointed as vice-captain. The tournament marks the return of the Champions Trophy after an eight-year hiatus, with India looking to reclaim glory following their last title win in 2013.
The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams divided into two groups. India is placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand.
Their opening match is scheduled for February 20, 2025, against Bangladesh, followed by high-stakes encounters against Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2.
Notable Inclusions and Exclusions
Jasprit Bumrah’s Inclusion: Despite suffering from back spasms towards the end of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Bumrah has been included in the squad.
His fitness remains a concern, prompting BCCI to name Harshit Rana as a backup for the ODI series against England preceding the Champions Trophy.
Mohammed Shami’s Return: Shami, who was sidelined due to surgery on his left Achilles tendon, makes a comeback after being the leading wicket-taker in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Absence of Key Players: Notably missing from the squad are wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson and pacer Mohammed Siraj.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar indicated that fitness concerns regarding Bumrah influenced Siraj’s omission, as they sought bowlers capable of performing specific roles within the team.
India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh
Travelling Reserves: Varun Chakaravarthy, Avesh Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy
The Champions Trophy presents an excellent opportunity for both seasoned players and newcomers to showcase their skills on a global stage.
