BCCI's finally announced Team India's squad for the high-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 which is set to start from February 18. Both captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar came to announce India's squad for both Champions Trophy 2025 and ODI series against England. However, there were few deserving players who deserved to be in the squad but couldn't make it to the final 15. Let's take you through the list:
Mohammed Siraj
The most notable omission from the squad is undoubtedly that of speedster Mohammed Siraj. Given his recent form, Siraj unquestionably deserved a place in the team. He showcased impressive wicket-taking ability during the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, emerging as India's second-highest wicket-taker with 20 scalps at an average of 31.15. His best bowling figures of 4/98 further highlight his contribution. Siraj's experience, resilience, and consistent rhythm made a strong case for his inclusion in the squad. Siraj has an impressive track record, having picked 71 wickets in just 44 appearances in ODIs. Siraj played an instrumental role in India's Asia Cup 2023 title triumph, delivering a match-winning performance in the final against Sri Lanka with career-best figures of 6/21. He continued this strong form into the ODI World Cup at home, where he took 14 wickets which helped India reach final.
Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson undoubtedly deserved a place in the Champions Trophy squad based on his extensive experience and recent impressive performances. Renowned for his exceptional skills, Samson has consistently showcased his ability in the recent times and proved he can adapt and perform under pressure.
One of his most notable strengths is his versatility as a batter. He is equally adept and comfortable batting at the crucial no. 3 position, where he can anchor the innings, and at the no. 6 position, where his aggressive style can provide the team with a much-needed impetus in the latter stages of the innings. Sanju proved his batting might by cracking two centuries in the T20I series against South Africa. Surprisingly the 30-year-old smashed a century in his previous ODI outing which came in 2023 against South Africa. Talking about his ODI stats, he has played 16 matches in which he has amassed 510 runs riding on 3 fifties and a ton. On the other hand in T20Is, he has featured in 37 matches and has scored 810 runs riding on three centuries and a fifty. Notably, out of his two of his three tons came in the T20I series against South Africa.
Karun Nair
Another star who was overlooked was Karun Nair. Karun Nair has been in exceptional form during in Vijay Hazare Trophy, amassing a staggering 752 runs in just seven innings at an astonishing average of 752 riding on five centuries before the final. Nair has not only excelled individually but has also guided his team, Vidarbha to the final. He even surpassed Ruturaj Gaikwad's previous record of 660 runs in a single season of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, establishing a new benchmark. Despite his impressive form, Karun Nair wasn't considered for selection in the Indian squad for the upcoming ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy 2025. The Vidarbha captain was acquired by the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2024 auction, has displayed exceptional form across various formats. In the 2024-25 Maharaja T20 Trophy, he amassed 560 runs in 12 matches at an impressive average of 56.00. This impressive tally includes one century and five half-centuries, with a highest score of 124. Nair's dominance extended to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he scored 255 runs at an average of 42.50, including three half-centuries at a strike rate of 177. With only two ODIs played in 2016 during a tour of Zimbabwe, Nair faced a significant challenge in breaking into the current Indian ODI team.
Meanwhile, India will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign on February 20 with a clash against Bangladesh which will be followed by high octane battle against Pakistan and New Zealand.
India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja
India’s squad for ODI series against England
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja