Team India Sets Off for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
On February 15, 2025, the excitement was palpable as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and the rest of Team India departed from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport, bound for Dubai. This journey marks the beginning of their campaign in the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, a prestigious tournament that returns after an eight-year hiatus. The last edition, held in 2017, saw Pakistan clinch the title by defeating India in a thrilling final. This year, Pakistan will host the event, with all of India’s matches scheduled to take place in the vibrant city of Dubai.
A High-Stakes Opening Match
India’s first group-stage match is set for February 20, where they will face off against Bangladesh. This encounter will kickstart their Champions Trophy journey, and expectations are soaring. The Men in Blue are eager to add another trophy to their illustrious collection, especially after key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer showcased their prowess in the recent ODI series against England, where India emerged victorious with a clean sweep of 3-0.
No Warm-Up Games for India
In a surprising move, India has opted out of participating in any warm-up matches before the Champions Trophy. This decision comes on the heels of their impressive performance against England, where they demonstrated their readiness for the challenges ahead. Australia has taken a similar approach, while Pakistan, the tournament’s host nation, has scheduled several warm-up matches to fine-tune their squad. With no warm-up games on the horizon, the Indian team will rely solely on the lessons learned from their recent series victory as they focus on internal training sessions in Dubai.
The Absence of Jasprit Bumrah
One notable absence from the Indian squad is that of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. The fast bowler has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to an ongoing back issue that has hindered his recovery. His absence is a significant blow to the team, as Bumrah has been a key player in India’s bowling lineup. The team will need to adapt and find ways to compensate for his absence as they aim for success in the tournament.
India’s Squad for Champions Trophy 2025
The Indian squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 is a blend of experience and youth, with Rohit Sharma leading the charge as captain. The team comprises:
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- Shubman Gill (Vice-captain)
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
- Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Harshit Rana
- Mohammed Shami
- Arshdeep Singh
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Varun Chakaravarthy
In addition, there are non-traveling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Shivam Dube, who will be on standby should any changes be necessary.
The Road Ahead
As Team India embarks on this journey, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. The players are not just representing their country; they are carrying the hopes and dreams of millions of fans who eagerly await their performance on the grand stage. With a strong squad and a clear focus, the Men in Blue are ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
