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India are all set to make another strong bid for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, with the team eager to secure a historic third title under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. Having triumphed in 2002 and 2013, the Men in Blue have their sights set on repeating their success, as a well-balanced squad featuring key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya has been announced. With the tournament just around the corner, India’s preparations will include a crucial three-match series against England, followed by the highly anticipated Champions Trophy campaign in Dubai.
Bumrah, who delivered a standout performance in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup and won the Player of the Tournament award, has been included in the squad. To provide coverage for Bumrah’s fitness, Harshit Rana will be part of India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against England, scheduled before the Champions Trophy.
India’s Squad for ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025:
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Shubman Gill (vc)
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah*
- Mohammed Shami
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
Rohit Sharma will captain a well-rounded squad, with Shubman Gill serving as vice-captain. Other prominent players such as Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer are expected to provide solidity to the lineup, while emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has yet to debut in ODIs, will add depth.
The all-rounder department is also strong, with Hardik Pandya returning after missing the second half of the 2023 World Cup due to an ankle injury. Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel bring versatile skill sets to the squad, alongside spin-bowling all-rounders Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav, who makes his return after recovering from injury.
Key Players and Key Absences:
Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion is subject to his recovery from the back spasms he suffered during India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign. Bumrah, who was instrumental in India’s bowling attack during the 2024 T20 World Cup, will lead the pace attack, alongside returning Mohammed Shami, who was India’s leading wicket-taker in the 2023 ODI World Cup before undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon. Arshdeep Singh completes the pace attack, while Mohammed Siraj has been left out.
For India’s spin department, Kuldeep Yadav returns after recovering from a hernia surgery and a groin injury. Kuldeep adds to an already formidable attack with Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja.
The Road to the Champions Trophy:
India will first face England in a three-match series starting on February 6, 2025, as a warm-up before the Champions Trophy. The series will take place in Nagpur, Cuttack, and Ahmedabad. India’s Champions Trophy campaign kicks off with a Group A clash against Bangladesh on February 20, 2025, at the Dubai International Stadium. India will also face Pakistan and New Zealand in the group stages.
India’s Group Stage Fixtures:
- 20 February – India vs Bangladesh, Dubai
- 23 February – India vs Pakistan, Dubai
- 2 March – India vs New Zealand, Dubai
After a stunning performance in the 2023 World Cup, India will look to build on their momentum and aim for another ICC trophy in 2025. With a squad that blends experience and youth, the Men in Blue will be a formidable force in the competition.
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