India (BCCI) announced India’s 15-man squad for the upcoming ODI series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament, set to take place in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19, will see India compete in a three-match ODI series against England, beginning on February 6, before heading to Dubai for the Champions Trophy. India’s first match in the tournament will be against Bangladesh on February 20.
While the squad maintains much of the core that reached the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, the selectors have made strategic changes to better suit the challenging Dubai conditions.
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal Earns Maiden ODI Call-Up
Promising Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has secured his place in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad after a stellar Test season in 2024. The left-hander began the home season with back-to-back double centuries against England and finished as India’s top scorer in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, amassing 391 runs at an average of 43.
However, Jaiswal may not feature in the starting XI, as skipper Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill are set to continue as openers.
2. KL Rahul Retains Wicket-Keeping Role
KL Rahul has been named as India’s primary wicket-keeper for the Champions Trophy. A key player in India’s run to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rahul is expected to bat at No. 5 and anchor the middle order alongside Shreyas Iyer.
Rishabh Pant has also been included as a backup keeper, offering flexibility with his ability to bat anywhere in the lineup—an asset in Dubai’s challenging conditions.
3. Jasprit Bumrah to Miss Early Matches
India’s ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been included in the Champions Trophy squad, though he is likely to miss the first two or three matches as he continues to recover from a back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Bumrah’s absence from the ODI series against England was a precautionary measure, with selectors aiming to ensure his availability for the latter stages of the Champions Trophy, where his experience could prove pivotal.
4. Shubman Gill Retains Vice-Captaincy
Despite a dip in form during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Shubman Gill has been trusted to continue as vice-captain of the ODI side. Gill, who has struggled to replicate his earlier ODI brilliance since his double century against New Zealand in 2023, remains the preferred opening partner for Rohit Sharma, signaling the management’s confidence in his abilities.
5. Mohammed Siraj Left Out
One of the most surprising omissions from the Champions Trophy squad is Mohammed Siraj. The pacer played a critical role in India’s journey to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup and has been a key bowler across formats, especially in the absence of seniors like Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
Despite his recent contributions, the selectors opted for left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, leaving Siraj out of the tournament squad.