Karun Nair, Sanju Samson, Mohammed Siraj, Champions Trophy 2025 Updates:
Today (18 January), India announced their squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. Sanju Samson and Mohammed Siraj have been left out. Additionally, Karun Nair, who displayed stellar performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, has once again faced disappointment. The question arises as to why these talented players were excluded from the Champions Trophy.
The team announcement took place at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai with the presence of captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. During the press conference, Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma explained the reasons behind the non-selection of several players. Rohit Sharma has been named the captain for the Champions Trophy, while Shubman Gill will serve as the vice-captain.
Why Karun Nair Missed Out, Explained by Agarkar
Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar explained that including Karun Nair in the current team was challenging. Agarkar mentioned that while there were discussions about Karun Nair, fitting him into the team remains difficult at this moment. Nonetheless, Agarkar praised Vidarbha's captain for his excellent performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Agarkar stated, "It was a difficult decision as he indeed performed exceptionally. His average in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was close to 390. We discussed this matter. For now, finding a spot for him in this team is genuinely tough. Look at the players selected; everyone averages over 40. You cannot accommodate everyone in a 15-player roster. If any player is out of form or injured, discussions will definitely arise about them."
Why Mohammed Siraj Was Dropped, Rohit Clarifies
In the press conference, Rohit Sharma also addressed questions regarding Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the Champions Trophy, Shami’s return, and Siraj's exclusion from the team. Rohit responded, "We are not certain about Bumrah's participation, so we felt the need for someone capable of bowling with the new ball and at the back end. Hence, we chose Arshdeep Singh for backend bowling. Everyone knows what Shami can achieve with the new ball."
Source: aajtak
Rohit mentioned, "Siraj's impact diminishes when not bowling with the new ball. It is unfortunate that he had to be left out. However, we had no option for bringing such players who fulfill a specific role. Personally, I feel we have players who can bowl with the new ball, in the middle, and at the back end."
Why Arshdeep Was Given a Chance, Rohit Explains
Rohit remarked, "Arshdeep hasn’t played a lot of ODIs but has been part of the white-ball setup for a considerable time. I don't think he lacks experience. He has bowled under pressure in T20s. Shami is a legend in white-ball cricket. We selected Harshit because we needed something different. He has shown potential, and hence, we need to support him."
Why Jaiswal Was Chosen, Rohit Says – You Can’t Please Everyone
Rohit highlighted that Yashasvi Jaiswal's recent performance has been remarkable. Although he hasn't played ODIs, we've included him because of his demonstrated skills. Sometimes we have to make such decisions. If we talk about everyone, we can't keep everyone happy. Yes, it’s a tough decision, but it’s necessary.
No Discussion on Sanju Samson
For the Champions Trophy, India's team has selected KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as specialist wicketkeepers; thus, Sanju Samson was not given a chance. Although his recent performances were outstanding, especially in the T20 format. Even though Sanju Samson was not picked for the team, there was no mention of him in the press conference. It is believed that KL Rahul will be the primary wicketkeeper against England in the ODI series and the Champions Trophy. Pant, after replacing Rahul in Sri Lanka, was dismissed for just six runs. Meanwhile, Samson played his last ODI for India in 2023, helping the team win the series in South Africa, where he hit his maiden century.
15-Member Indian Squad for the Champions Trophy:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar.
15 Matches in the Champions Trophy
The Champions Trophy 2025 will feature 15 matches among 8 teams. Teams are divided into 2 groups. India and Pakistan are in Group A along with New Zealand and Bangladesh. Group B comprises South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England. All 8 teams will play 3 matches within their groups. The top 2 teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals, with the first semifinal to be held in Dubai and the second in Lahore. Followed by the final match. If a team reaches the final, they will play a total of 5 matches in the tournament.
All 15 matches of the Champions Trophy will be held across 4 venues, with 3 venues in Pakistan and one in Dubai. The Indian team will play all their matches in Dubai. If the Indian team qualifies for the final, it will also be held in Dubai; otherwise, the title match will take place on March 9 in Lahore. A reserve day is scheduled for the semifinals and the final. The first semifinal will occur in Dubai, whereas the second semifinal will be in Lahore. A total of 10 matches, including one semifinal, will be played at Pakistan's 3 venues: Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.
The Groups for the Champions Trophy
Group A - Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh Group B - South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England
Complete Schedule for 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 final, it will be in Dubai) March 10- Reserve Day
