3 big questions for selectors to answer ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 squad selection ft. Mohammed Shami’s fitness

India's tour of Australia for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy ended on Sunday, January 5, with the visitors unable to secure their third consecutive Test series Down Under. Australia triumphed 3-1, securing a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final and knocking India out of the race.

Now, all eyes are on the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19 in Pakistan, with the Dubai International Stadium in the UAE slated to host India's matches.

The ICC has set a deadline for all teams to submit their provisional squad lists by Sunday, January 12. Teams will have the option to make adjustments to their squads until Thursday, February 13.

As the clock ticks down and selectors prepare to choose India’s 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy, they face some tough decisions. In this article, we’ll explore three key questions they need to answer before finalizing the squad for the 2025 tournament.

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#1 The headache for the second wicketkeeper slot between Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson

KL Rahul has firmly cemented his place as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in the ODI format. His exceptional performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he scored 452 runs at an impressive average of 75.33, including a century and two fifties, has made him a reliable figure in the middle order and behind the stumps.

Despite being dropped in favor of Rishabh Pant for the third ODI against Sri Lanka in 2024, Rahul remains the go-to wicketkeeper for India.

The real debate now centers on who should be India’s second-choice wicketkeeper. With both Pant and Sanju Samson in contention, the selectors face a tough decision. Both players have considerable pedigree and were part of the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad.

While Pant was a regular feature in the tournament, playing in all the matches, Samson found himself on the bench. Nevertheless, the latter’s form in recent months has placed him firmly in the spotlight.

Samson has been in scintillating form in T20I cricket, scoring three centuries in 2024 alone. He also impressed with a century in his last ODI appearance against South Africa in December 2023. With 510 runs from 16 ODI innings at an average of 56.67, his recent performances make a strong case for him to be the backup wicketkeeper for the Champions Trophy.

In contrast, Pant has only played one ODI in the past two years. Despite his relative lack of recent game time, the 27-year-old has accumulated 871 runs in 31 ODIs, with five fifties and one hundred, at an average of 33.50.

While Pant’s match-winning ability is well-documented, particularly in high-pressure situations, Samson’s ongoing form presents a legitimate challenge for the second wicketkeeper role.

Both players possess the ability to adjust their game according to the needs of the team, making them adaptable options for the middle order. As the selectors look ahead to the Champions Trophy 2025, the decision of who to back as the second wicketkeeper will be crucial.

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#2 Will Ravindra Jadeja make the cut?

One of the key questions the selectors will have to address ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 is Ravindra Jadeja’s future in the ODI format. The veteran all-rounder announced his retirement from T20I cricket following India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

While his decision to step back from T20s has given him more focus on ODIs, his place in the squad is far from guaranteed. The 36-year-old was rested for the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in 2024, raising further doubts about his future in the format.

With younger players like Washington Sundar and Axar Patel making strides in the all-rounder role, the selectors will face a tough decision on whether to include the veteran in the final squad.

Additionally, India may be tempted to bring in Nitish Kumar Reddy as a backup for Hardik Pandya, further complicating the selection. With Kuldeep Yadav, Axar, and Washington already in the mix, Jadeja’s spot could be at risk, especially considering the growing competition for places.

However, Jadeja’s vast experience in high-pressure tournaments could still work in his favor. Known for his exceptional skills with the ball and his ability to turn matches in the middle overs, he remains a valuable asset. His fielding, often regarded as one of the best in world cricket, further strengthens his case for selection.

With 197 ODIs under his belt, Jadeja has scored 2,756 runs at an average of 32.42 and claimed 220 wickets. Ultimately, the selectors will need to assess whether his experience and match-winning potential outweigh the promise of younger, emerging talents.

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#3 Lack of clarity on the position of Mohammed Shami

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami made his most recent international appearance in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia. Following the event, he was sidelined due to an ankle injury that required surgery and an extended period of rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy.

The 34-year-old made his return to competitive cricket in November 2024, playing in a Ranji Trophy match for Bengal. Since then, he has also featured in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, marking his gradual comeback to the domestic circuit.

However, much to the disappointment of fans and the pacer himself, Shami was ruled out of a potential international comeback. Ahead of the fourth Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued the following update:

"The BCCI Medical Team at the Centre of Excellence has been working closely with Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami on his recovery and rehabilitation after his right heel surgery. Shami has completely recovered from this heel problem. However, his left knee has exhibited minor swelling due to increased joint loading from his bowling workload. The swelling is on the expected lines, owing to the increased bowling after a prolonged period."

Shami was deemed unfit for consideration for the last two Tests of the series, with the Board adding that his participation in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on his recovery progress.

"Based on the current medical assessment, the BCCI Medical Team has determined that his knee requires more time for controlled exposure to bowling loads. Consequently, he has not been deemed fit for consideration for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

"Shami will continue to undergo targeted strength and conditioning work under the guidance of the medical staff at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence and build his bowling loads needed to meet the demands of the longest format of the game. His participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on the progress of his knee."

In a positive development, Shami featured for Bengal in their Round 7 game of the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, January 5. Now, the selectors face an important decision as Shami has been playing consistent domestic cricket. The key question is whether he is fit enough to make his return to the Indian setup for the upcoming marquee event.