Picture Credit: X
The Rohit Sharma-led Team India are reportedly scheduled to leave for Dubai (UAE) on Sunday, February 16 for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. With the tournament now less than a week away, a lot of eyes will be on the Indian team, who will go all out to lift the title and massive prize money worth INR 19.45 Crore as they begin their campaign on February 20 in a clash against Bangladesh.
Ahead of their travel, the newly-appointed Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia expressed confidence on India’s chances to bring home the title. While he remained optimistic, he also cited that Indian pacer spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s absence will not be a major issue, which also boasts of the likes of Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, among others.
We have the best team for Champions Trophy 2025: Devajit Saikia
Speaking with IANS on Friday, February 14, BCCI Secretary said, “We have picked the best team for the Champions Trophy. And I believe we will win the trophy. India have such a big bench strength, and I don’t think it (Jasprit Bumrah’s absence) will have any major issue with the team combination.”
“Everything is very positive in the team (Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in form); see the England series; the results are in front of you. The conditions will be more or less the same in Dubai, like the Indian conditions. India came out in such a good manner (against England) with a series whitewash in ODIs and a 4-1 win in T20Is. The morale and spirit of the team is at the highest level,” Saikia added.
It is to be noted that BCCI, earlier this week announced India’s updated squad which saw Jasprit Bumrah omission despite being named in the preliminary squad. In Bumrah’s absence, the men’s selection committee named Harshit rana as his replacement, whereas Varun Chakravarthy replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal in the 15-member side.
The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals and hosts Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh. They will kickstart their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by a match each against Pakistan (February 23) and New Zealand (March 2) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
India’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Non-travelling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube.
