The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will announce the Indian team for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 on January 18. The announcement will take place during a press conference at 12:30 pm, led by selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar, who will share details about the selected players and strategies for the prestigious tournament. Rohit Sharma will also attend the press conference.

Additionally, the team for the three-match T20 series against England will also be announced. The Champions Trophy 2025 will feature eight teams, divided into two groups of four, with 12 group-stage matches leading up to the semi-finals and final. The India vs Pakistan match is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai. If India makes it to the final, Dubai will also host the final.

India’s Schedule and Squad Announcement for the Champions Trophy

India’s group stage at the Champions Trophy will begin on 23 February with a match against Pakistan. The next match will be against New Zealand on 2 March. The tournament is set to start on 19 February, with the final scheduled for 8 March. India and Pakistan are the only two teams yet to announce their squads for the tournament. Reports suggest that the BCCI’s delay is due to concerns over the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav.

India’s ODI Squad Announcement for England Series

Apart from the Champions Trophy, the Indian team for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England will also be announced. Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar will hold a press conference in Mumbai to announce the team. The press conference will begin at 12:30 pm on Saturday, as stated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

India and Pakistan in the Same Group for Champions Trophy

The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams divided into two groups of four each. The group stage will have 12 matches before moving to the semi-finals and finals. India and Pakistan have been placed in the same group. Their match will be played in Dubai on February 23. India’s campaign will begin against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by Pakistan and New Zealand on March 2. The final will be on March 8.

Concerns Over Bumrah and Kuldeep’s Fitness

Six teams have already announced their squads, while India and Pakistan are yet to confirm theirs. Reports indicate that the delay in the Indian team announcement is due to concerns about the fitness of star players Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav. Bumrah had a back issue during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and was scanned afterwards. He was rested for the five-match T20 series against England starting on January 22. It remains to be seen whether Bumrah will be included in the ODI squad.

Kuldeep Yadav missed the Australia tour due to a knee injury but has now recovered and even released a video showing his practice ahead of the ODI series.

Karun Nair’s Possible Inclusion

Another point of interest will be the potential inclusion of Karun Nair, who had an outstanding performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 752 runs in seven innings, including five centuries. The final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy is scheduled for Saturday. It remains to be seen if Nair’s impressive form will earn him a spot in the ODI squad.