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The cricketing world is abuzz with speculations about Rohit Sharma’s potential retirement from international cricket after his withdrawal from the final Test of the Australia tour 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. If this speculation becomes reality, India will need to reimagine its setup, especially for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Here’s a detailed look at how India’s squad might shape up for the marquee tournament if Rohit Sharma bids farewell.
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Jasprit Bumrah to Lead Team India
Jasprit Bumrah has already shown his leadership potential, especially during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener in Perth. His calm demeanor, tactical sharpness, and ability to inspire the team make him a strong contender to take over the ODI captaincy. Bumrah’s experience and respect within the squad position him as the ideal successor to Rohit Sharma.
Opening Combination: Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal
With Rohit Sharma’s absence, Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to step into the role of opener alongside Shubman Gill. Jaiswal has already proven himself in T20Is and Test cricket with his consistent performances and fearless approach.
Shubman Gill, India’s batting mainstay in ODIs, will retain his spot at the top of the order. Together, this young and dynamic duo offers a perfect balance of aggression and stability, along with the valuable left-right combination, making them a formidable opening pair.
The Return of Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja, India’s premier all-rounder, has been absent from recent ODIs but could make a strong comeback for the Champions Trophy. His experience, exceptional fielding, and contributions with both bat and ball are indispensable for India in high-pressure tournaments.
India’s Probable 15-Member Squad for Champions Trophy 2025
Taking into account Rohit Sharma’s potential retirement and other factors, here’s a look at the probable squad:
- Jasprit Bumrah (C): Leader of the pack, spearheading the bowling attack and leading the team.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: Young and explosive opener, bringing fresh energy to the batting lineup.
- Shubman Gill: In-form batter and the anchor at the top of the order.
- Virat Kohli: The backbone of India’s batting, with experience and unmatched consistency.
- KL Rahul: Versatile batter and an experienced middle-order option.
- Shreyas Iyer: Reliable in the middle order and capable of counterattacking under pressure.
- Rishabh Pant: Dynamic wicketkeeper-batter who can accelerate the scoring rate in the middle overs.
- Ravindra Jadeja: All-rounder contributing across all departments.
- Nitish Reddy: A potential new face, known for his ability to play aggressive cricket.
- Mohammed Siraj: Leader of the pace attack alongside Bumrah.
- Kuldeep Yadav: Key spinner capable of taking wickets in the middle overs.
- Washington Sundar: A utility player who can bat and bowl off-spin effectively.
- Hardik Pandya: A match-winner with both bat and ball, adding balance to the side.
- Axar Patel: An effective all-rounder, especially on spinning tracks.
- Arshdeep Singh: A left-arm pacer bringing variety to the pace department.
Final Thoughts
The retirement of a player of Rohit Sharma’s caliber would undoubtedly leave a void in Indian cricket. However, with a blend of experienced campaigners and young talents, India looks well-equipped to field a strong team for the Champions Trophy 2025.
As Jasprit Bumrah takes on the mantle of leadership and young stars like Jaiswal rise to the occasion, the future of Indian cricket appears bright, even in the absence of one of its greatest stalwarts.
