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Here’s a look at India’s strongest playing XI for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches, which are set to take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India’s strongest playing XI for ICC Champions Trophy 2025. (Picture Credit: AFP)
The Indian men’s cricket team will open its campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 20 against Bangladesh at Dubai International Cricket Stadium and then face arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue on Sunday, February 23. India’s third and final Group A match of the eight-team ICC tournament is scheduled to take place against New Zealand on March 2. Due to tense political relations between India and Pakistan, Men in Blue will play all its matches in Dubai, including the knockouts (semifinal and final, if qualified).
The BCCI organised a press conference at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday, January 18, in which chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced India’s 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma will lead the world No. 1 ODI team, and he is all set to open the innings as well with vice-captain Shubman Gill. Yashasvi Jaiswal is also part of the Champions Trophy squad, but the left-handed batter is unlikely to start ahead of Rohit and Gill, especially when they are the captain and vice-captain of the team.
Virat Kohli will bat at his usual No. 3 position and will be followed by Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Iyer and Rahul scored 500+ runs in the ODI World Cup 2023, and the duo would like to repeat the same show this year once again. Rahul is expected to keep the wickets as well. He is India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs. Rahul playing as stumper means it will be difficult for Rishabh Pant to find a place in the playing XI.
Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are set to be the No. 6 and 7 batters, and it will be a fight between Axar Patel and Washington Sundar for the second spin bowling all-rounder’s role. Since Sundar bowls off spin and could bat higher up the order as well if and when needed, there are more chances of him playing the Champions Trophy matches.
Kuldeep is the only specialist spinner picked in the squad, and he is certain to play all the matches for the Indian team, which last won the ICC Champions Trophy title in 2013 by getting the better of England in the final.
Mohammed Shami is back in India’s ODI team, and he will lead the Men in Blue’s pace attack with Jasprit Bumrah, who is arguably the best bowler of present times. Arshdeep Singh is the third fast bowler in India’s squad, but the left-arm pacer will have to wait for his chances.
India’s strongest playing XI for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami
