The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is kicking off on the 19th of next month. This year, it's hosted under a 'hybrid model' in Pakistan, with matches spread across three Pakistani cities—Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore—and Dubai. The opening match pits Pakistan against New Zealand in Karachi. The Indian team will play its first game against Bangladesh on February 20.
Delay in Indian Team Selection, BCCI Seeks Time!
There's a major update regarding the Champions Trophy. According to Cricbuzz reports, there might be a delay in the selection of the Indian team for the event. Initially, it was anticipated that the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, would announce the core (provisional) team by January 12, per the International Cricket Council (ICC) guidelines. However, this might be pushed back by a week, with the team announcement now expected on January 18 or 19.
Participating countries in ICC events must announce a provisional core team at least a month in advance, with the flexibility to make changes later. This time, however, the ICC required the list of players five weeks before the tournament. The deadline was set for January 12. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), citing the recent Australia tour, may ask the ICC for a deadline extension. Selection delays might also occur for the team for the three-match ODI series against England, alongside the Champions Trophy.
The Indian squad for the T20 series to be announced soon
The ODI series against England will mostly feature players participating in the Champions Trophy. However, the announcement for the team for the T20 series against England could happen in a day or two. The T20 squad will likely consist of players who played against Bangladesh and South Africa. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are unlikely to be part of the T20 series. Both players were absent in those series as well.
Probable Indian Team for Champions Trophy:
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel/Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav/Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh.
England's Tour to India
First T20- January 22, Kolkata
Second T20- January 25, Chennai
Third T20- January 28, Rajkot
Fourth T20- January 31, Pune
Fifth T20- February 2, Mumbai
First ODI- February 6, Nagpur
Second ODI- February 9, Cuttack
Third ODI- February 12, Ahmedabad
Full Schedule of the Champions Trophy...
February 19- Pakistan vs. New Zealand, Karachi
February 20- Bangladesh vs. India, Dubai
February 21- Afghanistan vs. South Africa, Karachi
February 22- Australia vs. England, Lahore
February 23- Pakistan vs. India, Dubai
February 24- Bangladesh vs. New Zealand, Rawalpindi
February 25- Australia vs. South Africa, Rawalpindi
February 26- Afghanistan vs. England, Lahore
February 27- Pakistan vs. Bangladesh, Rawalpindi
February 28- Afghanistan vs. Australia, Lahore
March 1- South Africa vs. England, Karachi
March 2- New Zealand vs. India, Dubai
March 4- Semifinal 1, Dubai
March 5- Semifinal 2, Lahore
March 9- Final, Lahore (If India reaches the final, it will be played in Dubai)
March 10- Reserve Day
