January 18, 2025: India’s right-arm seamer Mohammed Shami has been named in the ODI squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after more than a year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad on Saturday, which will feature Shami alongside several key players, including captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill.
Shami’s inclusion marks a significant return to the team after a successful recovery from an ankle surgery and subsequent setbacks. He last featured in the ODI World Cup 2023 final and returned to competitive cricket for Bengal in a Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh in November.
The India squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, includes a strong lineup across all departments:
India Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill (VC)
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (WK)
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Shami
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Rishabh Pant
- Ravindra Jadeja
The squad boasts a balance of experience and youth, with established players like Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Rohit Sharma, while rising stars like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal add depth. The all-rounders include Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, while Kuldeep Yadav strengthens the spin department.
The fast-bowling attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, with support from Arshdeep Singh. However, notable absentees include wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj.
India’s campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins on February 20 against Bangladesh, with their biggest clash of the tournament against Pakistan scheduled for February 23 in Dubai. India will also face New Zealand in their final group match on March 2.
Before the Champions Trophy, India will play a three-match ODI series against England, beginning on February 6, and a five-match T20I series starting on January 22.