India’s squad for the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has reportedly been leaked.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to make an official announcement during a press conference later today, where the squads for the Champions Trophy and the upcoming ODI series against England will also be revealed.
Sharma to lead team India
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Sharma will retain his position as captain for the ODI squad, with the official announcement expected to come during a press conference scheduled for today.
Alongside the Champions Trophy squad, the selectors will also unveil the Indian team for the upcoming ODI series against England, which will serve as the final preparation for the marquee event.
Rohit Sharma's leadership and future in Indian cricket have been under scrutiny in recent months. After opting out of the playing XI for the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Sharma's decision led to speculation about a possible retirement.
However, the opener has since clarified that it should not be interpreted as such. Despite a challenging period, particularly in the home series against New Zealand, where he only managed 91 runs in six innings, Sharma remains a key figure for India. His form, which dipped further in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with just 31 runs in five innings, has raised questions, but the veteran cricketer has been actively training with Mumbai in preparation for the Ranji Trophy.
After ending his T20I career with a World Cup win in Barbados in 2024, Rohit is now focused on leading India to another title, this time at the Champions Trophy.
Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson
Meanwhile, India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, who has been battling fitness issues following a back spasm during the Sydney Test against Australia, is expected to be included in the preliminary squad. However, his final selection for the Champions Trophy will depend on his recovery. According to reports, the selectors are eager to see Bumrah play at least one competitive match before making a final decision on his participation in the tournament.
The inclusion of Bumrah remains crucial for India, given his prowess in all formats, but his fitness remains a significant concern. As for the rest of the squad, there is notable disappointment for some players who have impressed in domestic competitions.
Despite a stellar performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored 752 runs, including five centuries, Karun Nair has been left out of the squad. Selectors, while acknowledging his form, feel it would be unwise to rush him back into the international fold for a tournament of such magnitude.
Similarly, Sanju Samson, who had been included in the India T20I squad for the series against England, is not expected to make the cut for the Champions Trophy. The selectors have reportedly decided not to include him due to his lack of participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, emphasizing their desire for national players to feature in domestic competitions.