India on Saturday announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England and the much-awaited 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar held a press conference to officially unveil the squad ahead of the tournament in Pakistan and the UAE.
One of the highlights of the squad is the return of pacer Mohammed Shami, who last featured in an ODI match against Australia during the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
Shami’s inclusion comes as a major boost to India’s bowling attack as they prepare for the big events ahead.
However, there is uncertainty surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s selection for the Champions Trophy 2025. The player is currently recovering from a back injury and, as a result, has been left out of the ODI squad for the England series.
Harshit Rana was called in as a substitute in Bumrah’s absence.
The final decision on Bumrah’s participation in the Champions Cup depends on his fitness before the tournament.
In a surprise move, fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and keeper-batsman Sanju Samson have been dropped from the squad. However, Shreyas Iyer and Kuldeep Yadav have returned to the Indian squad after missing the recent matches.
Speaking about Siraj’s exclusion and the selection of Arshdeep Singh, captain Rohit Sharma explained: “Siraj is not there because we wanted Arshdeep to play in the back line in case Bumrah is not available. Siraj’s effectiveness will decrease if he does not take the ball. New ball, and with Arshdeep and Shami in the team “We had no choice but to select players who could cater to all three aspects of bowling: bowling at first, mid-on and at the death.”
He also highlighted the decision to select four players in the team, emphasizing the diversity of the players selected.
“It’s not about selecting bowlers for the sake of it. These are all-rounders Axar Patel, Washi Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja as they can contribute equally with both bat and ball. Sundar offers the right-arm spin option, Axar and Jadeja offer,” Rohit said. The left arm, while Kuldeep provides the left arm for Chinaman, which kind of covers all the bases.”
Agarkar, the chief selector, also gave an update on Shami’s fitness, saying: “Shami has played most of Syed Mushtaq Ali’s matches and some of Vijay Hazare’s matches. Fielding him in the T20Is is mainly to get him up to speed in international cricket and hopefully he will be 100.” % when it comes to Champions Cup matches.
The eight-team, 15-match tournament will be held from February 19 to March 9, in three stadiums – Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi – in Pakistan and Dubai.
The teams are divided into two groups. The first group includes Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while the second group includes Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia.
Hosts Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the opening match on February 19 in Karachi, while the showdown between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled to take place on February 23 in Dubai.
Pakistan will host a total of 10 matches at home, while four matches, including all three of India’s group stage matches and the first semi-final, will be played in Dubai.
The final of the tournament is scheduled to be held in Lahore, but if India qualifies, it will also be held in Dubai.
Furthermore, a reserve day has also been set aside for the final showdown as a precaution to combat any weather-related obstacles.
India Champions Trophy 2025 squad
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, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra . Jadeja
India’s lineup for the ODI series against England
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra . Jadeja
India Champions Trophy Schedule
February 20, Bangladesh vs India, Dubai
February 23, Pakistan vs India, Dubai
March 2, New Zealand vs India, Dubai