New Delhi:
As the cricket world gears up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia has expressed unwavering confidence in India’s chances, even in the absence of the team’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, who has been ruled out due to a lower back injury, has been replaced by young pacer Harshit Rana in the Indian squad.
Saikia’s optimism is bolstered by India’s recent dominant performance against England, where the team whitewashed the ODI series 3-0 and secured a 4-1 victory in the T20I series. This streak has significantly boosted the team’s morale, particularly with senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli regaining their form. Rohit Sharma scored a century in the second ODI, while Virat Kohli ended his dry spell with a half-century in the final ODI against England.
Jasprit Bumrah’s injury, though significant, does not seem to dampen Saikia’s spirits. He credits the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for assembling a strong team combination for the tournament. With Harshit Rana stepping in for Bumrah, the pace attack will be led by seasoned players like Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya.
Saikia emphasized, “We have picked the best team for the Champions Trophy, and I believe we will win the trophy. India has such a big bench strength, and I don’t think Bumrah’s absence will have any major issue with the team combination.” The recent form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli further enhances India’s prospects. “Everything is very positive in the team; see the England series results. The conditions in Dubai will be similar to Indian conditions, which works in our favor,” Saikia added.
India will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai, followed by a highly anticipated match against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23, and then against New Zealand on March 2. The Indian squad, led by captain Rohit Sharma, includes Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, and Varun Chakravarthy.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Shivam Dube have been named as non-traveling substitutes who will join the team in Dubai as needed. The tournament, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, will be held across venues in Pakistan and Dubai under a hybrid model, with India playing all their matches in Dubai due to security concerns.
