The Champions Trophy 2025 is only five weeks away and the build-up to the tournament is intensifying. The deadline for teams to announce their provisional squads is also nearing, which is the 12th of January. However, India may seek an extension.
According to reports on Cricbuzz, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may not announce the Champions Trophy squad in time. It was expected that the selectors would be naming the squad for the three-match ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy together by the 12th of January. But that may not happen now.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) usually needs the teams taking part to submit a provisional squad at least one month prior to the tournament. But it is different this time around as they have requested the teams to submit the provisional squads five weeks before.
It is understood that the BCCI is set to request more time from the ICC due to the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. According to the Cricbuzz report, it may take BCCI another week to finalize the provisional squad for the eight-team event that will take place in Pakistan and UAE, starting on the 19th of February.
The provisional squad that will be announced is expected to be the same as the one for the three-match ODI series against England which will start on the 6th of February. India are also sweating on the fitness of ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah who did not bowl in the second innings of the SCG Test due to back spasms. The extent of his injury is not known yet.
However, it is learnt that Mohammed Shami is set to get clearance from the Sports Science department of the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bangalore. The Bengal fast bowler has not played international cricket since November 2023 (World Cup) due to an ankle injury which required surgery. He made a comeback to competitive cricket for Bengal and has played all three formats in the last couple of months.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy who are yet to make their debuts in the 50-over format may well be in for a maiden call-up in the ODI team. Washington Sundar is likely to earn his place as one of the premier all-rounders as well.
The ODI series against England is scheduled to be played between the 6th and 12th of February. India’s first Champions Trophy encounter is against Bangladesh on the 20th of February in Dubai.
India’s T20I squad to be announced soon
While the announcement of the ODI squad may be delayed, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee are likely to announce the T20I squad in the next couple of days. There are unlikely to be any surprises in that team.
India’s last T20I assignment was in South Africa where they won 3-1. Hence, most players from that squad led by Suryakumar Yadav should retain their place for the five-match series against England which starts on the 22nd of January.
