New Delhi, January 22, 2025 – India’s Champions Trophy Squad Revealed Two-time champions India have officially unveiled their 15-member squad for the highly anticipated ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, with the fitness of star paceman Jasprit Bumrah confirmed, bringing a collective sigh of relief to fans nationwide. The announcement centered around Bumrah’s status confirmed as India announce ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, ending speculation about his readiness for the tournament.
Having secured the title in 2002 and 2013, India will be chasing their third Champions Trophy crown under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. The squad announcement, made by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, also highlighted the inclusion of young batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal, marking a significant step in his burgeoning international career.
Bumrah’s Return Headlines Squad Selection
Jasprit Bumrah, who had been sidelined for a portion of the Sydney Test due to injury concerns, has been given the green light for the tournament. Agarkar assured that the team management would meticulously monitor the pacer’s fitness in the build-up to the event. Bumrah’s recent heroics at the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where he was also named player of the tournament, underlines his importance to the team. He had double celebrations with the player of the tournament and India winning the T20 World Cup 2024.
Squad Composition: A Blend of Experience and Youth
The squad boasts a strong batting lineup, with Yashasvi Jaiswal joining established stars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill. The experienced trio of KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant will form the core of the middle order.
Hardik Pandya, returning to ODI cricket after his last appearance in the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, is the designated pace-bowling all-rounder. He will be playing a crucial role for team India. The spin department features a wealth of options, with Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar providing all-round capabilities, while left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav also makes a comeback from injury.
The pace battery, spearheaded by Bumrah, includes the seasoned Mohammad Shami and the dynamic Arshdeep Singh. Recognizing the importance of managing Bumrah’s workload, Harshit Rana has been named as a backup for the preceding ODI series against England.
India Squad:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
India’s Path to Glory
India’s quest for a third Champions Trophy title will begin with their group stage fixtures:
- February 20: vs Bangladesh, Dubai
- February 23: vs Pakistan, Dubai
- March 2: vs New Zealand, Dubai
In the previous edition of the Champions Trophy, India reached the final but were defeated by arch-rivals Pakistan. They will be looking to go one step further this time.
Other Notable Mentions:
- The article briefly touches upon Suryakumar Yadav’s focus on the present, although he is not selected in this squad.
- It mentions the ICC Chair’s meeting with the IOC President regarding LA 2028 Olympics.
- It also refers to a positive fitness update for Australia ahead of their Sri Lanka series.
- And mentions the winning moment for India in the 2024 Men’s T20 WC 2024.
- The article includes a link to the full list of ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Squads.
Conclusion:
With Bumrah’s status confirmed as India announce ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, and a well-rounded team at their disposal, India appears well-positioned to mount a strong challenge for the coveted Champions Trophy title. The blend of experience, youth, and the return of their pace spearhead makes them a formidable force on the global stage. The coming months will be crucial as they prepare to battle for supremacy in this prestigious tournament.