After missing out on qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025, the Indian cricket team is setting its sights on redemption by aiming to secure another ICC trophy. The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to commence on February 19, marks the tournament's return after an eight-year hiatus. India is slated to face Bangladesh on February 20, Pakistan on February 23, and New Zealand on March 2 in the group stage.
A significant concern for India is the fitness of their premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah suffered a back spasm during the final Test against Australia in Sydney, which prevented him from bowling in the second innings. The exact severity of his injury remains uncertain, leading to doubts about his availability for the Champions Trophy. Reports suggest that while Bumrah might be included in the provisional squad, his participation will depend on medical evaluations and clearance from the National Cricket Academy.
In Bumrah's potential absence, the onus will be on experienced pacer Mohammed Shami to spearhead the bowling attack. Shami, who has been out of action for over a year, is expected to make a comeback and lead the pace department. Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh is anticipated to complement Shami, adding variety to the bowling lineup. All-rounder Hardik Pandya will serve as the third pace option, providing both bowling depth and explosive batting prowess in the lower middle order.
Also Read: Hardik Pandya may be the captain of Team India in Champions Trophy 2025: Report
Rohit Sharma is expected to captain the Indian side, bringing his wealth of experience and leadership skills to the fore. He is likely to open the batting alongside Shubman Gill, with Yashasvi Jaiswal not featuring in the playing XI. The formidable duo of Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer will occupy the crucial No. 3 and No. 4 positions, respectively. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is set to be the first-choice gloveman during the group stages, adding depth to the batting lineup.
The spin-bowling responsibilities are expected to be shouldered by Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Notably, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is not anticipated to be part of the squad for this tournament. Axar Patel, known for his accurate left-arm spin and handy lower-order batting, alongside Kuldeep Yadav, a wrist-spinner capable of troubling batsmen with his variations, will be crucial in the middle overs.
India Predicted Playing XI For Champions Trophy 2025
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
Also Read: Team India squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Reports
India's journey towards redemption in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will undoubtedly be exciting! The fitness of Jasprit Bumrah remains a key concern, but with Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya stepping up, the bowling attack still looks promising. The batting lineup, led by Rohit Sharma and featuring stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, also inspires confidence. Here's hoping Bumrah makes a speedy recovery and strengthens the team even further. For those following fantasy cricket, platforms like PerfectLineup.in are great for expert predictions and insights to build winning fantasy teams. Can’t wait to see how this tournament unfolds! ?
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