Champions Trophy 2025: India full squad, SWOT analysis, and key player to watch

Champions Trophy 2025: India full squad, SWOT analysis, and key player to watch

Since winning the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean in June 2024, India has endured an underwhelming run of results. This has mounted pressure on coach Gautam Gambhir, who took over from Rahul Dravid after the World Cup, and skipper Rohit Sharma heading into the ICC Champions Trophy.

Can India’s players get their act together and reinforce their supremacy by winning this eight-team event?

While Rohit and Virat Kohli have been under scrutiny for their lean returns in recent months, the 50-over format may provide a conducive setting for the two stalwarts to free up and return to their best. If they hit their stride, along with Shubman Gill in the top three, India could dominate this tournament just as it did when hosting the 2023 ODI World Cup — until running into Australia in the final. There is also plenty of firepower in the middle order, with Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, K.L. Rahul and Hardik Pandya all possessing the requisite skill to win matches with the bat.

Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from the Champions Trophy is a major blow to India’s chances. The 31-year-old, widely regarded as the best bowler in the world, has been ruled out due to a back injury. His presence would have given India a significant edge over its rivals. His ability to deliver in the PowerPlay, the middle overs, and at the death made him an indispensable asset for the team. Harshit Rana has been named as his replacement.

The onus now falls on Mohammed Shami to lead the pace attack. Shami is returning from a lengthy layoff and may need some time to find his rhythm. In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav has also been short of game time lately, having undergone groin surgery after the Test series against New Zealand in November. The calibre of these bowlers is not in question, but the fact that they are returning from injuries is far from ideal in a major tournament.

Unlike the other teams that have matches at different venues, India will be based in Dubai for the entirety of the tournament. Once the Indian players acclimatise to the conditions, familiarity with the pitches and ground dimensions could work to their advantage. India’s decision to include four spin-bowling options in its squad suggests that the Dubai International Cricket Stadium pitches are likely to aid spin. If so, India has enough variety in this department to capitalise.

The format of the Champions Trophy is such that one bad game could push a team to the brink of a group-stage exit. The pressure to perform for India is all the more significant, as its unforgiving fans would perceive anything less than lifting the trophy as a failure. While the clash against Pakistan has high stakes riding on it, the battle with New Zealand may be just as nerve-racking, given that the Kiwis pulled off a clean sweep in a three-match Test series in India a few months ago. As the Black Caps have demonstrated in recent years, they relish the prospect of tormenting India in conditions perceived to be in the latter’s favour.

By naming Gill as vice-captain for the Champions Trophy, the Indian selectors have trusted the graceful right-handed batter from Punjab. With Yashasvi Jaiswal breathing down the neck of the top order, there may have been some uncertainty about Gill’s place in the playing eleven had he not been appointed as Rohit’s deputy.

Now, it is up to the 25-year-old opener to prove with his performances that he deserves superstar status. He has had his ups and downs, particularly in Tests, where an average of 35.05 does not reflect his enormous talent. To be fair to Gill, he has been exceptional in the 50-over format for India. No batter has scored more runs than Shubman Gill after 50 ODI innings. He also boasts the highest average (60.16) among all players who have amassed at least 2,000 runs in their first 50 innings. However, to indeed follow in the footsteps of Rohit and Kohli, he will need to deliver match-winning knocks in a marquee event. The Champions Trophy could be that stage.

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Published on Feb 17, 2025