New Delhi: India will take on Bangladesh in their opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday, February 20. All eyes will be on head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli who faced heavy criticism after the team’s poor performance in the recent months.
After winning the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados, Team India lost an ODI series against Sri Lanka, got beaten by New Zealand 3-0 in the home Test series and also lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Rohit and Co. also failed to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) after poor performance in Test cricket. Thus, the Champions Trophy 2025 is a huge chance of redemption for all of them as fans are hoping for another ICC trophy.
India to drop star all-rounder from playing XI?
During India’s final practice session, star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was spotted having a lengthy chat with Gautam Gambhir and after that India’s head coach hugged him. The Star Sports experts claimed that Gambhir might have broken the news to Jadeja that he would be dropped from the match against Bangladesh.
Former RCB and New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson said that Jadeja is not playing “You can tell from the body language that he’s being told he’s not playing. (Gambhir is saying), ‘That’s my decision. I’ve made it. You may not agree with it but thank you very much. You may go on to play the next one but for the first match, we’re playing the off-spinner” Hesson said on Star Sports.
Shami, Kuldeep fit to play India’s Champions Trophy opener
Indian captain Rohit Sharma in the pre-match conference confirmed that fast bowler Mohammed Shami and spinner Kuldeep Yadav are fit to play the opening against Bangladesh. Rohit said that the team management wanted Shami to get back to bowling fitness and he has played some games.
“Whatever I have seen of him so far is perfect, fine. He has done the job for us over the years. Hopefully, he can find some rhythm in this tournament. Kuldeep has returned after a hernia operation. He looks quite confident, and if both perform, then it is great for us” Rohit said in the pre-match press conference.
India will face Bangladesh in their opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday, February 20. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
