The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be an exciting tournament featuring eight formidable teams, including arch-rivals India and Pakistan. Major cricketing nations such as South Africa, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Australia have already announced their squads for this prestigious event. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seems to be taking its time in selecting the Indian team. In the meantime, legendary cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan have put together their own 15-member squad. Notably, several prominent players are missing from their selected line-up. Let’s delve into the squad choices made by Gavaskar and Pathan for the Champions Trophy.
Key Players in Gavaskar-Pathan’s Champions Trophy Squad
For the Champions Trophy, Irfan Pathan and Sunil Gavaskar have entrusted the captaincy to Rohit Sharma, who will open the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Following them in the batting order is Shubman Gill, with stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer added to fortify the middle order.
A Trio of Wicketkeepers and All-Rounders
Interestingly, Gavaskar and Pathan have opted for three wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant. This strategic decision could provide flexibility within the squad. Additionally, they have included three all-rounders – Nitish Kumar Reddy, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja – adding depth to both the batting and bowling departments.
Fast Bowling Core with One Spinner
When it comes to bowling strategies, Pathan and Gavaskar have largely focused on pace, selecting a formidable trio of fast bowlers: the legendary Jasprit Bumrah, alongside Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. Interestingly, Kuldeep Yadav is the only spinner named in the squad, indicating a preference for aggressive fast bowling to leverage conditions during the tournament.
Omissions of Big Names from the Team
In their selections for the Champions Trophy, Gavaskar and Pathan made the tough call to exclude several high-profile players. All-rounder Washington Sundar was overlooked in favor of Ravindra Jadeja, who has extensive experience at this level. Additionally, highly rated Arshdeep Singh, who has excelled in domestic cricket, was not included. Even Axar Patel, recently appointed as vice-captain for the T20 series against England starting January 22, was left out of this squad.
Final Squad for Champions Trophy 2025
The final 15-member squad chosen by Pathan and Gavaskar for the Champions Trophy 2025 includes:
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Rishabh Pant
- Sanju Samson
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
- Mohammed Shami
This carefully curated squad is expected to carry India’s hopes forward in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and fans eagerly anticipate how they will perform on the world stage.