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India’s preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy have begun with the announcement of their provisional 15-man squad, which will also play a three-match ODI series against England in early February. The squad, led by Rohit Sharma, features key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, both of whom are recovering from injuries, while also raising eyebrows over the omission of Kerala’s Sanju Samson.
Bumrah, still working his way back from a stress-related injury sustained during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has been included in the squad despite doubts over his availability for the first two ODIs against England. Harshit Rana, a promising young fast bowler, has been added to the team as a back-up, ensuring that India has a backup plan should Bumrah not be ready in time.
Champions Trophy Squad : Kuldeep Yadav In
Kuldeep Yadav, who has not played competitive cricket since undergoing hernia surgery in November, is also part of the squad, though his fitness is still being monitored. The left-arm wrist spinner has been practicing intensively at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, gradually building up his bowling load and is reportedly able to bowl 10-12 overs at a stretch. If fit, Kuldeep will be a crucial weapon for India in the Champions Trophy, where wrist spinners often play a key role in the subcontinental conditions of Dubai.
The squad is captained by Rohit Sharma, with Shubman Gill named as vice-captain. One of the more intriguing selections is that of Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young opener, who has been picked for the first time in ODIs and is expected to be the reserve opener for the Champions Trophy. His rise in domestic cricket has been rapid, and the selectors have clearly shown faith in his abilities.
India’s middle order largely mirrors the squad from the 2023 ODI World Cup, with Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul retaining their spots. Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel will once again offer valuable allround options, while Rishabh Pant will be in competition with KL Rahul for the wicketkeeper position.
Mohammed Shami, who was a standout performer for India during the 2023 World Cup, also finds a place in the squad. Shami was India’s highest wicket-taker in the tournament, claiming 24 wickets, and his return to full fitness will be crucial for India’s hopes in the Champions Trophy. Arshdeep Singh, another left-arm pacer who impressed in India’s ODI series against South Africa in 2023 and finished as the highest wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, has earned his spot, with Mohammed Siraj, despite his strong performances, being left out.
The squad also includes four specialist bowlers: Bumrah, Kuldeep, Shami, and Arshdeep, making it a balanced unit with depth in both batting and bowling. The final squad will be submitted to the ICC by February 11, but before the Champions Trophy, India will play a crucial three-match ODI series against England on February 6, 9, and 12. These will be India’s first 50-over matches since their tour to Sri Lanka in August 2024.
India’s group in the Champions Trophy includes Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand, and all matches will be played in Dubai due to India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan. India’s first game will be against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2.
However, the squad announcement has not been without controversy. The exclusion of Sanju Samson, a talented wicketkeeper-batsman from Kerala, has sparked significant backlash, especially from the political realm. Samson, who has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, including a memorable 212* in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, was left out due to a series of administrative missteps by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA).
Samson had earlier written to the KCA informing them that he would not be able to attend a training camp between the Syed Mushtaq Ali (SMA) and Vijay Hazare Trophy tournaments due to prior commitments. Despite his proactive communication, Samson was dropped from the KCA squad for the Hazare Trophy, and this decision has seemingly carried over to his omission from India’s Champions Trophy squad. The wicketkeeper’s form had been excellent, with an average of 56.66 in ODIs for India, including a century in his last outing against South Africa.
Shashi Tharoor, the Member of Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram, has been particularly vocal about Samson’s exclusion. Taking to social media, Tharoor criticized the handling of Samson’s career, questioning the logic behind the Kerala Cricket Association’s actions and the broader implications for the player. He pointed out that the KCA’s decision to exclude Samson from the Hazare Trophy ultimately harmed Kerala’s chances, as the team failed to make it to the quarter-finals.
Tharoor also raised concerns over the broader issues of ego and mismanagement by cricket administrators, which he believes are ruining the careers of promising players like Samson. “A batsman who averages 56.66 in ODIs and has a highest score of 212* in the Hazare, including a century in his last outing, is being sidelined due to bureaucratic egos,” Tharoor wrote on his Facebook wall. “By leaving Sanju out, the KCA ensured Kerala didn’t even make it to the quarter-finals. Where does this leave him now?”
The situation has sparked a broader debate about the role of state associations in the selection process and the impact of administrative decisions on players’ futures. While Samson’s supporters continue to voice their frustrations, the Indian team will be focused on their upcoming assignments, with hopes of defending their Champions Trophy title and making a strong statement on the global stage.
As India gears up for the Champions Trophy, the squad selection has undoubtedly set the stage for a thrilling cricketing contest. But the exclusion of a player like Sanju Samson, alongside the fitness concerns surrounding Bumrah and Kuldeep, adds an extra layer of drama to the buildup.
Photo Credit : BCCI (X Account)
