India Squad for Champions Trophy 2025-Rohit Sharma to lead, Shubman Gill appointed vice-captain

The Board of Control for Cricket in India, or BCCI, announced the long-awaited 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 19. The tournament was to be held in Pakistan, but security reasons have made it necessary for India to play all its matches in Dubai. The news was released in a press conference at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, in which Captain Rohit Sharma and Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar also participated.

This side is a mix of experience and freshness, which is a reflection of the preparation India made for this coveted tournament. This side will be used for the ODI series against England too, except with one addition being Harshit Rana instead of Jasprit Bumrah, if fit.

Key Players and Leadership Roles

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill-The Leaders

Rohit Sharma, India's captain and one of the most experienced players in the squad, will lead the team. His stellar record in white-ball cricket, combined with his leadership skills, makes him the ideal candidate to guide India through the high-pressure tournament. Shubman Gill, promoted as vice-captain, is a recognition of his recent performances and potential as a future leader. The dynamic opener is going to play a very vital role at the top of the order, in equal measure for stability and aggression.

Virat Kohli-The Run Machine

Virat Kohli is another indispensible part of the team. He has a position unmatched for chasing stiff targets and hunting for runs like no one. Kohli could not be missed despite criticism back in red ball cricket. His skills and determination proved worthy for India especially in the success of ICC Tournaments.

Complete Strength-

Some of the most accomplished all-rounders of India at present are Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar.

Ravindra Jadeja is a complete all-rounder, providing depth due to his left-arm spin, electric fielding, and capacity to score in bulk pressure. Along with Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar provide more variations to the team. Both can bat as well as bowl which further strengthens the middle order for India and the spin units.

Pace Attack Return of Bumrah and Shami

India's two biggest pace bowling guns, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, are returning. Despite some injury concerns about a recent back, Bumrah has been added to the list, and most would expect a huge role from him in the campaign. It will be close to over an year since he played international cricket, but Mohammed Shami returning adds depth, experience, and skill to India's bowling arsenal. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana will make up the bulk of the youngsters providing the backbone of depth and energy for India's pace.

Dynamic Batting Lineup-Jaiswal, Iyer, Rahul, and Pant

India's batting unit holds some seasoned and young guns cricketers in the squad. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been granted his maiden ODI for steady performances in the domestic circuit. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, for the known, can build an innings into strength and bolster the middle-order game. Returning to the team as wicketkeeper-batsman is Rishabh Pant, who will take Sanju Samson's slot.

Spin Department-Kuldeep Yadav Back

K.D. Yadav, who proved himself a performer in the 50-over format, comes back into the side. His wristspin would be a handful for the batsmen and provide an extra shine to India's spin arsenal. He would be present along with Jadeja, Axar, and Sundar.

India's Squad for Champions Trophy 2025

India's 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 reads as follows:

Rohit Sharma (Captain)

Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain)

Virat Kohli

Shreyas Iyer

KL Rahul

Hardik Pandya

Ravindra Jadeja

Axar Patel

Washington Sundar

Kuldeep Yadav

Jasprit Bumrah

Mohammed Shami

Arshdeep Singh

Yashasvi Jaiswal

Rishabh Pant

India ODI Squad against England in Champions Trophy-

The same 15-member squad has been retained for the ODI series in England. Just a day after Bumrah's injury in practice, Hardshit Rana was included for his cover with respect to injury issues.

Rohit Sharma (Captain)

Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain)

Virat Kohli

Shreyas Iyer

KL Rahul

Hardik Pandya

Ravindra Jadeja

Axar Patel

Washington Sundar

Kuldeep Yadav

Jasprit Bumrah*

Mohammed Shami

Arshdeep Singh

Yashasvi Jaiswal

Rishabh Pant

Harshit Rana (*Bumrah's fitness cover)

The chances of India in the Champions Trophy

It is a good mix with experienced players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah and fresh faces in Yashasvi Jaiswal, which will make India a very well-balanced team. It has a much stronger batting line-up than the batting department of an all-rounder and a proficient bowling attack. The UAE is playing in Dubai, where conditions would be favorable to spinners, which might play to India's advantage.

India will be seeking to win the trophy again from the list of the ICC titles and the Champions Trophy 2025 looks like the way to achieve it. With Rohit Sharma-a very good batsman, this is a very powerful team that leaves fans hoping for the Indian cricket mementos by the end of the campaign.