Mohammed Shami In if fit, Sundar & Jaiswal as travelling reserves

After a long wait, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule is finally out. As reported earlier, it will be played in a hybrid model with India playing their matches in Dubai while Pakistan hosts the bulk of the matches. And given the conditions, the squad has to have the right mix of pace and spin bowling. While the BCCI is not even close to revealing the squad for the Champions Trophy, InsideSport attempts to predict the Champions Trophy 2025 India squad.

Shubman Gill & Rohit Sharma as Openers

When it comes to ODIs, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma have done enough to be selected for the Champions Trophy 2025 India squad. automatically. In 265 matches, the skipper has scored 10,866 runs at an average of close to 50 with 31 tons to his name. On the other hand, Gill has had a rousing start to his 50-over career scoring 2328 runs in 47 matches, at an average of 58.20.

India doesn’t really need a backup opener here, but in case of emergency, KL Rahul could be slotted in, who too has an excellent record in the ODIs.

Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer in Middle-order

While we are not certain as to which all batters will make the cut in the playing XI, at least Shreyas Iyer should get a chance for sure, keeping in mind his domestic cricket exploits. In the SMAT, in 9 matches, he scored 345 runs at an average of 49. Apart from that the usual suspects will be Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya. KL Rahul could fit in anywhere in the line-up, if needed.

Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy

Once again, Hardik Pandya will be the first-choice all-rounder in the XI. But having said that, Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy seem to be making the cut as well. Nitish, in the three Tests and three T20Is he has played, has shown that he can deliver on the big stage. In the 22 List A matches, he has 403 runs with a highest score of 60, at an average of 36. He has picked up 14 wickets as well.

Jaddu, too has shown, that he has still a bit of cricket left in him. Recently, he scored a fighting 50 against Australia in Brisbane. While he might not be the first-choice anymore, he will still be in Champions Trophy 2025 India squad.

Spin Looks Sorted

Apart from Jaddu, there could also be the likes of Axar Patel and even Kuldeep Yadav. They all make the cut on their current form, and can contain runs too, when needed. Of course, the team will only play 2-3 at a time, but all four are a must in the squad.

Shami In? Only Fitness Will Tell

However, the biggest headache for Team India would be Mohammed Shami’s fitness. So, let us assume he gets fit for the CT 2025, and he makes the cut automatically — then other pacers in the squad will be Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. If Shami is unfit, someone like Akash Deep can be looked at. Apart from that, having left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, will only add variety to the attack in Champions Trophy 2025 India squad.

Champions Trophy 2025 India Squad

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Nitish Reddy, Shreyas Iyer.

Traveling reserves: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar