It is almost time now. Rohit Sharma’s Indian team is all set to open their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign versus “minnows” Bangladesh on Thursday, in Dubai. Minnows because the neighbours haven’t beaten India in ICC tournaments for 18 years — since the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean. But then, having said that, India need to get their house in order first.
The 2017 Champions Trophy finalists, India showed top form in the India-England ODI series where they won 3-0, but then they need to come up with the best XI, with some exceptional players to pick from. On top of that, while every batter in the line up, including Rohit Sharma is firing, Virat Kohli isn’t in the best touch.
Virat Kohli Needs to Score Big
Just confidence-wise, Virat needs to be at his very best, and get going in the first match vs Bangladesh. In the England series he did get one 52, but he showed a certain susceptibility to spin bowling. He did not get a 100 in the last one year, and in fact was poor in 2024 where he did not score even a single fifty. In three matches he averaged only 19. But there is hope from him for sure.
Sort Out KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant
Well, there problem doesn’t end there. India also need to solve KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant puzzle, not only for the Bangldesh match, but also entire tournament.. While coach Gautam Gambhir had clarified after the England series, that Rahul is the preferred choice, but it seems Ajit Agarkar wants Pant. Whoever it is though, needs to play the entire tournament.
Five Spinners, Who Plays?
India has Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Varun Chakravarthy. It might be a good ploy given the slow nature of pitches in the UAE, but then which spinners make the cut? Rohit Sharma clarified during a presser, that “India has two spinners and three all-rounders”, but then getting the right combination would be a tedious job.
In the England series, Jaddu, Axar were the certainties — and that would happen in the CT 2025 too.. The fight will be between Kuldeep, Washi and Varun. Rest assured one wrist spinner will play at a time. But still, a tough choice for the management.
Mohammed Shami Certain, Second Pacer Not Decided
Lastly, Mohammed Shami will be leader of the pacer pack, but apart from him, finding the second pacer will be a task. In the mix are Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. It looks almost certain that the duo would be rotated for the entire tournament, no clear favorite for now.
In short, it is a squad that would threaten all the teams in their group, but only wrong selections could lead to their downfall.
India Squad
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.
