The India's squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ODI series against England was announced on January 18. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma announced the squads via press conference.
Rohit Sharma's mic chat with Ajit Agarkar leaked
India captain and chief selector arrived at the press conference two and a half hours behind schedule. Before the formal proceedings began, Rohit Sharma was spotted engaging in a conversation with Ajit Agarkar on BCCI's policy on restriction on Indian cricketers' family travel during overseas tours. However little did the duo know that the microphone was still on.
“Mere ko 1 dhed ghanta baithna padega. ye sab bol rahe hai mere ko family-wamily ka (After the press conference, I have to sit with the secretary to discuss the family role. People are calling me)," Rohit was heard saying during Press conference.
Rohit Sharma schools reporter on BCCI's restriction on family travel
The video of Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar's conversation, which went viral on social media, sparked widespread speculation among the fans. Many believed that the two were discussing a 'family matter'. This incident comes on the heels of reports that the BCCI has recently imposed restrictions on family travel for players during overseas tours, a move reportedly implemented following the team's disappointing performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
It didn't end there, as Rohit was further quizzed about the BCCI's new protocols on India's players' family travel. Rohit came up with a hard-hitting reply and asked the reporter about the source of the information.
“Who told you about the rules? Has it come from any official source? Let it come officially first,” he added
Talking about the squad, the India squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 includes both Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav. This same squad minus Jasprit Bumrah will also compete in a three-match ODI series against England in early February.
Harshit Rana has been included as a backup for Bumrah, who may not be fully fit for the first two matches of the ODI series. Bumrah's participation in the third and final ODI will depend on his fitness clearance. Both Bumrah and Kuldeep have been recovering from recent injuries. Kuldeep has been sidelined since November following hernia surgery, while Bumrah suffered a back spasm during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Sydney earlier this month.
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