Champions Trophy 2025: India will play all its league matches of the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai with the clash against arch-rival Pakistan on 23 February. India and Pakistan have been kept in the same group. New Zealand and Bangladesh are also in this group. Group B includes South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan and England. The opening match of the tournament will be played on 19 February in Karachi. In this match, host Pakistan will face New Zealand. Its final will be held on March 9. This time there will be 15 matches in this major 50-over event, which was last played in 2017. Out of these, at least 10 matches will be played in Pakistan. Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi will be the three host venues in Pakistan and the second semi-final will be held at the renovated Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
When can Team India be announced?
Let us tell you that the Indian team for the Champions Trophy can be announced between January 9 and 10. In such a situation, it will be interesting to see which players can get a chance in the Indian team for the Champions Trophy. Indian selectors can simultaneously announce the Indian team for the ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy.
Jasprit Bumrah may get rest from T20 series against England
Considering the work load, Jasprit Bumrah may get rest from the 5-match T20 series against England. Bumrah was injured during the Sydney Test match. In such a situation, considering his injury and work load, Bumrah can be rested from the T20 series against England. Similarly, Bumrah may return in the three-match ODI series.
Mohammed Shami and Shreyas Iyer may return
Mohammed Shami, who was away from Team India for a long time, may return in the ODI series and Champions Trophy. Shami is away from Team India since the 2023 ODI World Cup. Shami is currently playing for Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Shami has to prove his fitness. In such a situation, it has to be seen whether Shami is able to prove his fitness or not, if Mohammed Shami remains completely fit then he can be selected in Team India.
Shreyas Iyer’s return is considered certain
Apart from this, Shreyas Iyer may also return. According to the report of Times of India, Iyer may be selected in the ODI series against England. He last got a chance in the ODI series against Sri Lanka in the year 2024. After being out of Team India, Iyer is continuously playing domestic cricket and is also scoring a lot of runs with his batting. In such a situation, he can be selected in Team India.
Deadline for squad announcement is till 12th January
ICC has set January 12 as the deadline for declaring the team for the Champions Trophy, that is, by January 12, all the 8 teams will have to submit the list of their players to the ICC. At the same time, teams can make changes in their players till 13 February. In such a situation, it is expected that Team India will be announced between 10th and 11th January. (India’s squad announcement timeline)
Probable ODI team and probable Champions Trophy team for England series: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj (India squad for Champions Trophy likely to be announced by 12 January)