With less than a month remaining for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to commence, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is yet to officially announce India’s squad along with the traveling reserves for the high-profile tournament. Also, the last date to submit Team India’s provisional squad for the grand ICC event is on 12th January 2025 (Sunday).
Ahead of the ninth season, the men-in-blue are struggling with injury concerns that make the selection process much more stringent.
However, based on India’s performance in the recently concluded Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, a probable 15-member squad has been formed ahead of the contest.
Moreover, the forthcoming edition is a high-stakes competition for India as they concluded as the runner-up in 2017 by losing to Pakistan in the final. As India aims to bounce back with a sensation performance and claim their third title, an in-depth batting and bowling squad makes them rank as one of the favorite contenders. At the same time, there are robust challenges that Rohit Sharma and his men have to face against other competitive teams as well.
Let’s predict the fate of talented players having possible chances to secure a spot in Team India’s squad ahead of the high-voltage CT 25.
List of India’s Predicted 15-Member Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Possibly, the national selectors might prepare a list of the 15-member squad by including these players for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
1. ROHIT SHARMA (Captain): Batsman
Rohit Sharma— The Hitman, has not only been India’s one of the most successful limited-overs captain but also hailed as an explosive opener in white-ball cricket. The 37-year-old adds fuel to the top order with his power-hitting abilities and accumulates big tons. Under his captaincy, Team India won the Asia Cup 2018 and 2023, and the T20 World Cup 2024 deserves a special mention.
Although India lost to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup, but reached the final as the unbeaten side winning all 10 matches in the tournament. His presence as a calm captain and aggressive batter adds a new dimension to the squad.
2. YASHASVI JAISWAL: Batsman
Known for his dynamic batting style in T20Is and tests, Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to make a stunning debut in the ODI. His ability to counterattack against pacers by smashing the ball into the stands and compiling instant runs makes him the perfect opening pair alongside the Indian captain.
3. VIRAT KOHLI: Batsman
Hailed as the King of Cricket across all formats, Virat Kohli’s proven consistency and his ability to chase challenging targets under pressure, make him one of the modern legendary batters. Despite struggling through poor form, he made a stunning comeback in the ODI World Cup 2023 by shattering multiple records being the key essence of India’s batting line-up.
As Kohli is once again going through the lean patches of his career following the poor performance in the BGT 2024-25, fans still hope that the Champions Trophy 2025 is the perfect stage for the veteran batter to gain momentum.
4. SHREYAS IYER: Batsman
Known as the reliable middle order batter for India in the 50-over format, Shreyas Iyer adapts his batting style according to the match situation. The right-hander’s ability to play quickfire knocks under pressure can steer the team to post a mammoth total or maintain consistent partnerships in crucial run chases.
5. RISHABH PANT: Batsman / Wicketkeeper
The wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant can change the course of the match with his destructive knocks and big shots. His fearless batting style makes him suitable to bat at any position in the batting order and makes him one of the most interesting players to watch in CT 25.
6. KL RAHUL: Batsman / Wicketkeeper
Being a competent batter and wicketkeeper, KL Rahul’s ability to play constructive knocks by anchoring the innings in the beginning and destructive knocks in the death overs can prove to be valuable for India on flat pitches in the UAE.
7. HARDIK PANDYA: All-Rounder
Hardik Pandya’s dual role as an aggressive right-handed batter and a handy medium pacer adds the required balance to the batting and bowling line-up. His flexibility with both bat and ball in highly tense moments of a match makes him secure his place in the squad as the experienced pace bowling all-rounder.
8. AXAR PATEL: All-Rounder
As a left-arm spinner and lower-order left-handed batter, Axar Patel’s steady performance adds depth to the batting and bowling unit. The spin-bowling all-rounder’s role as a destructive batter in the death overs and as a spinner in the middle overs can prove to be the one man’s show for contributing success to the team.
9. JASPRIT BUMRAH: Bowler
India’s bowling department would be tough to imagine without the pacer Jasprit Bumrah, whose toe-crushing yorkers, strong bouncers, and death-over deliveries can dismantle an opponent’s batting unit. The 31-year-old’s fast bowling skills will be extremely important for the men-in-blue to remain competitive in UAE’s conditions.
10. KULDEEP YADAV: Bowler
Kuldeep Yadav’s left-arm wrist spin techniques can deceive batters with tricky variations and can be a game-changer in the tournament with his proven experience in the 50-over format. Also, the 30-year-old serves as the crux of India’s spin bowling attack with his unorthodox bowling style.
11. MOHAMMED SIRAJ: Bowler
Mohammed Siraj’s ability to deliver consistent lines and lengths combined with his aggression makes him a fierce weapon for the Indian bowling attack.
12. MOHAMMED SHAMI: Bowler
After delivering a sensational performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 by ranking as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, Mohammed Shami is once again expected to provide the breakthrough moments for India in the Champions Trophy 2025. As the 34-year-old pacer is in the process of recovering from his injury, his presence in the squad promises to strengthen the fast-bowling attack with his exceptional skills to combine reverse swing and pace.
13. RAVINDRA JADEJA: All-rounder
Having another spin-bowling all-rounder like Ravindra Jadeja in the squad can help India achieve stunning victories against challenging teams. The 36-year-old possesses multi-talents as a handy lower-order left-handed batter, brilliant spinner in middle overs, and an alert fielder, which makes him a noteworthy choice for the team.
14. SHUBMAN GILL: Batsman
Shubman Gill’s skilled strokeplay confirms his spot in the playing XI, having proven his adaptability to different match situations in ODIs. He can be a versatile key opening batter for India alongside Rohit in the Champions Trophy 2025.
15. ARSHDEEP SINGH: Bowler
Arshdeep Singh’s left-arm fast bowling skills and his ability to swing balls in multiple ways have proven to be destructive, especially in the death overs. Having a quality pacer for India opens up beneficial options in the fast bowling line-up thereby reducing the dependence on Bumrah.