Team India Champions Trophy Squad 2025:
The Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was announced on Saturday, 18th January. In a press conference held in Mumbai, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar revealed the team. Captain Rohit Sharma was also present at the event. This time, the Champions Trophy matches will be hosted in three cities of Pakistan (Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore) as well as in Dubai, under a 'hybrid model'.
India's Squad Revamped in 14 Months...
When compared to the 2023 World Cup squad, the Indian team for the upcoming Champions Trophy appears significantly evolved. This transformation has taken place in just 14 months. Several players who were part of the 2023 World Cup won’t be playing in the Champions Trophy 2025. Notably, six prominent players are missing this time around.
The most significant omission is fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who often took charge of the new ball in the previous World Cup. Other players like Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin, Prasidh Krishna, and Ishan Kishan, who were all part of that World Cup, are also absent from the Champions Trophy. Notably, Ashwin recently retired from international cricket.
On the other hand, 10 players from the 2023 World Cup squad are set to play in the Champions Trophy. This includes stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya, and Shubman Gill.
Meanwhile, five players who weren't part of the World Cup 2023 squad have been included. These are Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Washington Sundar. Opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal makes his debut in the ODI team. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has also been selected after missing out on the 2023 World Cup due to an accident.
Spin-bowling all-rounders like Axar Patel and Washington Sundar have secured their spots in the Champions Trophy squad. Axar was injured before the start of the 2023 World Cup. Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm pacer, was chosen in place of Mohammed Siraj, adding diversity to the bowling lineup.
The coaching department of Team India has also seen changes over the last 14 months. Rahul Dravid was the head coach during the 2023 World Cup, with Rohit Sharma captaining the team. Rohit will continue his leadership role in the Champions Trophy 2025, while Gautam Gambhir steps in as the head coach.
The 2023 World Cup Squad:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya (injured mid-tournament), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Prasidh Krishna.
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.
The Champions Trophy 2025 will feature a total of 15 matches among 8 teams. These teams are divided into 2 groups. India and Pakistan are in Group A, along with New Zealand and Bangladesh. Group B consists of South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England. Each of the 8 teams will play three matches within their group. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals, with the first semifinal in Dubai and the second in Lahore. Following that, the final match will be played. If a team reaches the finals, it will have played 5 matches in total.
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 (shifted to Dubai if India reaches the Final)
March 10 - Reserve Day
