India's roster for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 includes Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah. The 2023 World Cup marked the trio's most recent appearance in the ODI format. Rohit Sharma will captain the 15-man team that was revealed on Saturday afternoon, January 18, with Shubman Gill acting as his deputy.
Following back spasms at the end of India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign, in which he sent down an incredible 151.2 overs for his 32 wickets at 13.06, Bumrah's selection is marked with an asterisk. In addition to the returning Shami, who was the top wicket-taker at the 2023 ODI World Cup but has since missed international action due to surgery on his left Achilles tendon, he leads a fast-bowling attack. After finishing the pack, Arshdeep Singh provides a left-arm angle for the assault.
Pandya, who missed the second half of the World Cup due to an ankle injury sustained during that campaign, has returned, giving India a strong all-arounder lineup. With his left-arm talent, Ravindra Jadeja, another player who hasn't played ODIs in 14 months, offers diversity. Another player who can improve the team's balance is Axar Patel, who was selected for India's most recent ODI match in Sri Lanka. Moreover, Washington Sundar has secured a spot in the team that excludes Mohammed Siraj, a fast bowler.
Kuldeep Yadav's comeback to the team after a period of absence due to hernia surgery gave India's spin attack a significant boost. Due to a groin injury, the 30-year-old was only able to play the first Test of the home series against New Zealand before missing the rest of the season.
Since the selectors chose Yashasvi Jaiswal as the squad's other opening batsman, Gill, who averages a fantastic 58.20 in the format, might have to compete for his place at the top of the order. Jaiswal has yet to make his international debut in the format, despite having a strong start to his career and adding left-handedness to a top-order that leans right. With a top score of 203 against Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he averages 54 in List A cricket.
India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand are all in Group A. On February 20, they will play their first game at the Dubai International Stadium against Bangladesh. In preparation for the major ICC event, they will play England in three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in Nagpur (February 6), Cuttack (February 9), and Ahmedabad (February 12) next month.
India squad for the Champions Trophy:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Yashasvi Jaiswal