The stage is set for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 which is set to get underway from February 15. However, with less than 40 days to go before the marquee tournament India is yet to announce their squad. The eight-nation tournament, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and the UAE, will be played from February 19 to March 9.
Rohit Sharma won't travel to Pakistan
However, amidst the excitement, there's a growing suspense surrounding India captain Rohit Sharma whether he will travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025's opening ceremony or not. Meanwhile, Sports Tak has learnt that Rohit Sharma won't be travelling to Pakistan.
"Rohit Sharma is not traveling to Pakistan for any reason," a source privy to the development told Sports Tak.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is gearing up to host the opening ceremony for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The ceremony is tentatively planned for February 16 or 17.
According to ICC regulations, the presence of all participating team captains is mandatory at the opening ceremony. Earlier, reports were doing rounds that skipper Rohit will be traveling to Pakistan for the captains' photoshoot and for the opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However it's all clear now the Hitman won't travel to Pakistan any which way.
The talks around Rohit travelling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 opening ceremony emerged due to the fact that the India will not be playing any matches in Pakistan during the tournament.
The tournament will be played in a hybrid model, with India playing their matches in the UAE. The remaining matches will be held in Pakistan, with one semifinal and the final also scheduled to take place in Dubai if India reaches that stage.
Notably, India will start their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by a high-octane clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23. Their final league fixture will be against New Zealand on March 2. Rohit's brigade will be aiming to improve upon their previous performance in the tournament, where they finished as runners-up.
When will India's Champions Trophy 2025 squad be announced?
Meanwhile, India and Pakistan are the only two sides who are yet to announce their squads for the Champions Trophy.
Earlier reports were doing round that India's Champions Trophy squad will be announced by January 12. However, in an exclusive interaction with Sports Tak, BCCI's vice-president Rajeev Shukla has revealed that that BCCI will conduct a meeting on January 18-19 to take a final call on India's squad for Champions Trophy 2025.
Champions Trophy 2025's complete Schedule:
| February 19, Wednesday | Pakistan vs New Zealand | Group A | 2:30 PM | National Stadium, Karachi |
| February 20, Thursday | India vs Bangladesh | Group A | 2:30 PM | Dubai International Stadium |
| February 21, Friday | Afghanistan vs South Africa | Group B | 2:30 PM | National Stadium, Karachi |
| February 22, Saturday | Australia vs England | Group B | 2:30 PM | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| February 23, Sunday | India vs Pakistan | Group A | 2:30 PM | Dubai International Stadium |
| February 24, Monday | Bangladesh vs New Zealand | Group A | 2:30 PM | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| February 25, Tuesday | Australia vs South Africa | Group B | 2:30 PM | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| February 26, Wednesday | Afghanistan vs England | Group B | 2:30 PM | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| February 27, Thursday | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Group A | 2:30 PM | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| February 28, Friday | Australia vs Afghanistan | Group B | 2:30 PM | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| March 1, Saturday | England vs South Africa | Group B | 2:30 PM | National Stadium, Karachi |
| March 2, Sunday | India vs New Zealand | Group A | 2:30 PM | Dubai International Stadium |
| March 4, Tuesday | Semi-final 1 | Semi-finals | 2:30 PM | Dubai International Stadium |
| March 5, Wednesday | Semi-final 2 | Semi-finals | 2:30 PM | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| March 9, Sunday | Winner semi-final 1 vs winner semi-final 2 | Final | 2:30 PM | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore/Dubai International Stadium |