Joe Root Sees India ODIs as Key Preparation for Champions Trophy

England Star Believes Three-Match Series Will Set the Tone for Tournament in Pakistan

New Delhi, February 4: England’s Joe Root views the upcoming three-match ODI series against India as a crucial opportunity for the team to regroup and build momentum ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, set to begin on February 19.

With the Champions Trophy drawing near, teams are fine-tuning their strategies through bilateral ODI series, testing squad combinations and gaining match fitness before heading into the prestigious tournament.

Root: ODIs Against India Will Be “Really Useful”

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Root, a vital cog in England’s ODI batting lineup, emphasized the importance of the India series in preparing for the Champions Trophy.

“When you commit to doing something, you want to see it through and be there for the whole tournament. But at the same time, playing for England and international cricket is always the pinnacle of the sport,” Root said.

“Leading into the Champions Trophy, three ODIs will be really useful for us to be together as a group and try and get us in a really good place before we head into that tournament,” he added.

England Eyeing Redemption in ODIs After T20I Series Loss

Following their 4-1 defeat in the T20I series against India, England will be eager to turn things around in the 50-over format, with head coach Brendon McCullum looking to implement his aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach in ODIs for the first time.

The three-match series kicks off in Nagpur on February 8, and England will look to establish rhythm before traveling to Pakistan for their title defense in the Champions Trophy.

Root’s ODI Return & England’s Squad for India Tour & Champions Trophy

Root last played for England during the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India. The seasoned batter has featured in 171 ODIs, amassing 6,522 runs at an impressive average of 47.60, including 16 centuries and 39 half-centuries.

England ODI Squad for India Series & ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

• Jos Buttler (C), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.

With the Champions Trophy fast approaching, England will look to fine-tune their squad and regain form in the three-match ODI series against India, hoping to enter the tournament with confidence and momentum.