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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19, with Pakistan facing New Zealand in the tournament opener. One of the top contenders, India, will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20.
As the Men in Blue aim to go one step further than their 2017 runner-up finish, let’s analyze India’s squad, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats ahead of the highly anticipated tournament.
Table of content
India Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Batters:
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Rishabh Pant
All-Rounders:
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
Bowlers:
- Mohammed Shami
- Arshdeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakravarthy
Non-Travelling Substitutes:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Mohammed Siraj
- Shivam Dube
Strengths of India for Champions Trophy 2025
1. Depth & Variety in Batting Line-Up
- India’s top five batters have an ODI average above 45, showcasing consistency.
- The strike rates range from 85.32 to 111.14, highlighting a mix of stability and aggressive stroke play.
- With quality hitters till No. 8, India has a strong finishing unit capable of scoring big totals.
2. Balanced Distribution of Batting Responsibilities
- Previously, India relied heavily on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
- Now, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Axar Patel have stepped up, ensuring the team doesn’t depend solely on its senior players.
3. Spin Attack with Variety & Flexibility
India boasts an all-round spin department, featuring:
- Kuldeep Yadav (Left-arm wrist spin)
- Varun Chakravarthy (Mystery spin)
- Ravindra Jadeja (Left-arm orthodox)
- Axar Patel (Left-arm orthodox)
- Washington Sundar (Off-spin)
This variation gives India the flexibility to pick spinners based on conditions and opposition strengths.
Weaknesses of India for Champions Trophy 2025
1. Inexperience in the Pace Department
- India’s three main pacers have played just 114 ODIs combined, with Shami alone featuring in 103 of them.
- Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana have played only 11 ODIs between them, making India’s pace attack one of the least experienced in the tournament.
2. Lack of Time to Build Combinations
- This squad has only played a three-match series against England before the tournament.
- The lack of preparation time means India will have to finalize playing combinations during the tournament itself.
3. Absence of Jasprit Bumrah
- Bumrah’s injury is a major blow to India’s bowling attack.
- He played a key role in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, and his absence will reduce India’s effectiveness in crucial death overs.
Opportunities for India in Champions Trophy 2025
1. Redemption After 2017 Final Loss
- India lost the 2017 Champions Trophy final to Pakistan, and this tournament presents a chance to settle scores.
- A win would also mean back-to-back ICC titles, following the T20 World Cup 2024 victory.
2. Grooming Future Pacers
- With Bumrah unavailable and Shami not at his peak, this is a huge opportunity for Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh to prove themselves on a big stage.
Threats for India in Champions Trophy 2025
1. Key Bowlers Struggling for Form
- Mohammed Shami, who was India’s best bowler in the ODI World Cup 2023, looked off-color in the recent England series.
- Kuldeep Yadav is returning from injury and managed only two wickets in two games against England, raising concerns over his effectiveness.
2. Uncertainty Over Bowling Strength
- With Bumrah injured and Shami not in top form, India’s bowling attack might struggle against quality batting line-ups.
Prediction: How Far Can India Go?
Despite some weaknesses, India has a solid squad with a strong batting line-up and an experienced spin attack. If their pacers step up, they are expected to reach at least the semi-finals and could go all the way to lift the trophy.
Can Rohit Sharma & Co. deliver another ICC title for India? Only time will tell!
