New Delhi: Rohit Sharma will continue to lead India as the Board of Control for India (BCCI) announced the squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 on Saturday, January 18. Dashing young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been handed his maiden ODI call-up for the multi-nation tournament while star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has made the cut despite currently recovering from a back injury.
Bumrah, who suffered back spasms during the 5th Test against Australia in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, has been included in the squad subject to fitness clearance. There were doubts over Bumrah’s participation in the Champions Trophy after his back injury but his presence in the 15-man squad is a huge boost for India heading into the multi-nation tournament.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma announced India’s 15-man squad in a press conference after almost a three-hour-long selection meeting at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. India have picked the same 15 for both the Champions Trophy and the upcoming three-match ODI series against England. However, Bumrah is certain to miss at least the first two ODIs against England.
Speaking about Bumrah’s inclusion, Agarkar said the star pacer will miss the first two ODIs against England but might return for the final ODI to gear up for the Champions Trophy. The chief selector also clarified that more clarity on Bumrah’s fitness is expected by next week.
“Waiting to hear about his fitness and when he will be available. From what we know he will not be available for the first two matches. We will get to know more in the next week or so,” Agarkar said on Bumrah while announcing the squad.
Bumrah was in sensational form for India with the ball in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy where he shattered records to finish with 32 wickets in 5 matches despite bowling just 10 overs in the final Test due to his injury. Meanwhile, Jaiswal has been rewarded for his consistency in Tests and T20Is over the last couple of years.
The 23-year-old opener was arguably India’s best batter in the Australia Test series where he finished as the highest run-getter for the visitors with 391 runs from five matches at an average of over 43 including two half-centuries and a solitary hundred. While he has made the cut in the squad, it remains to be seen if Jaiswal will pip Shubman Gill to open the batting for India with Rohit at the top.
Mohammed Shami returns, Rahul, Pant both selected
Senior India pacer Mohammed Shami will be making his comeback after 14 months on the sidelines as he has been picked in India’s squad for both the England ODI series and the Champions Trophy. Shami missed the entire tour of Australia due to recurring injury issues but proved his fitness in the domestic circuit and will be spearheading India’s pace attack alongside Bumrah.
Meanwhile, India have selected both Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul instead of opting for another specialist keeper-batter in Dhruv Jurel or Sanju Samson. Pant and Rahul will be battling for the first-choice wicket-keeper’s slot and it remains to be seen who will be preferred in the playing XI. Both Pant and Rahul were part of India’s squad in their last ODI series against Sri Lanka.
No Karun Nair as India pick 3 spin all-rounders
Many expected the experienced Karun Nair to get a much-awaited India call-up after 8 years following his stunning run in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy where he has been the leading run-scorer with 752 runs from 8 matches at a sensational average of 752 having not been dismissed yet in the tournament so far. However, Karun was not picked as the selectors felt there was no place for him in the final 15.
India have picked as many as three spin all-rounders in the 15-man squad with Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar all making the cut. There were doubts over Jadeja’s inclusion with Nitish Reddy also in contention but the selectors gave the nod to the senior all-rounder considering his pedigree in ICC events and his skills which can come in handy in UAE conditions.
India’s squad for Champions Trophy 2025:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja
India’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad: BCCI announced India’s 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 on Saturday, January 18. Rohit Sharma will lead the team while injured pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been included despite recovering from an injury. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
