India's squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: From suspense over Mohammed Shami to keeping conundrum - all the buzz ahead of team selection

The 2025 Champions Trophy is all set to be played from February 19 to March 9. While most of the matches will be played across three venues in Pakistan (Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi), India will play their games in Dubai as a part of a hybrid model arrangement for the ICC event.

The ICC has instructed all eight participating nations to submit their provisional 15-member squads by January 12. The BCCI is expected to finalize Team India's squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy by the end of the week. As per reports, teams have been allowed to make changes until February 13.

The BCCI selection committee led by former pacer Ajit Agarkar is likely to announce the squad the 2025 Champions Trophy as well as the preceding white-ball series against England together. The selection committee will have a few headaches to deal with. They will hope for a much better performance from the team in the ICC event after poor returns in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

There has been plenty of buzz around the potential Men in Blue squad that could be selected for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Here's a lowdown:

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Focus on Shami and Bumrah's fitness

India will need a strong pace attack for the multi-nation ICC Champions Trophy. Mohammed Shami hasn't played any international cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia. Having completed his rehabilitation, the right-arm pacer has returned to domestic cricket. He featured in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Bengal and was a part of the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well.

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah suffered back spasms during the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. He didn't bowl at all on the last day of the series, where he starred with 32 scalps. As per the Hindustan Times, Bumrah has consulted Dr. Rowan Schouten, a New Zealand-based orthopedic surgeon, regarding his back injury.

It remains to be seen whether Shami or Bumrah feature in the provisional 15-member squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

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Ravindra Jadeja's place under the scanner

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been a terrific performer for India in Tests and ODIs. However, he hasn't been in great form in the one-day format over the last couple of seasons and was even 'rested' for the three-match series in Sri Lanka last year - India's only one-day assignment in 2024.

Jadeja scored 309 runs in 17 one-day innings in 2023 at an underwhelming strike rate of 75. With his left-arm spin, he picked up 31 scalps at an average of 28.19. However, the rise of Axar Patel will pose a massive challenge to the 36-year-old Jadeja's chances of being picked for the Champions Trophy.

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Varun Chakravarthy in contention, with doubts over Kuldeep Yadav's fitness

If fit, left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav would have been picked in India's Champions Trophy squad. However, there's no official update over his recovery. India have the option of going back to Yuzvendra Chahal, but the leg-spinner has not played for the country since August 2023.

It would thus be interesting to see if the selectors reward another leg-spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, for his fantastic bowling performances in T20Is in 2024. In seven T20I matches, the Tamil Nadu spinner claimed 17 wickets at an average of 12.41 and an economy rate of 7.53. The 33-year-old has, however, only featured in 23 List A games, which could go against him.

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Will Sanju Samson miss out again?

While KL Rahul is set to be rested for the white-ball series against England at home, he's likely to be picked in the 2025 Champions Trophy squad, given his impressive record in the format. Rahul can also keep wickets if needed.

In case, Rahul is picked as the main keeper-batter in the 15-member squad, it might come down to a one-on-one battle between Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson for the second keeper-batter's slot. While Pant hasn't been consistent in one-dayers, he has had the backing of the selectors and team management. Samson, though, has done well in the limited chances he has had in ODIs.

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Will Yashasvi Jaiswal find a place in the squad?

While Rohit Sharma had a disastrous Test tour of Australia, he's likely to be retained as captain and opener for the ICC Champions Trophy. Shubman Gill also struggled Down Under. But he has an exceptional one-day record. In 47 matches, he has 2,328 runs at an average of 58.20 and a strike rate of 101.74.

In case, India want to pick a reserve opener for the multi-nation tournament, Yashasvi Jaiswal should be the first name on the list. While he hasn't played an ODI, the left-hander has excelled in both Tests and T20Is. Jaiswal was among the few positives for India on the Test tour of Australia.