India has announced its squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami is returning to the ODI setup after a long time as he was struggling with a heel injury. At the same time, spinner Kuldeep Yadav has also returned, who had back surgery two months ago. The Champions Trophy to be held in Pakistan will be held from 19th February. The Indian team will play all its matches in Dubai. India will play its first match against Bangladesh on 19 February. Former batting coach Sanjay Bangar has chosen his preferred playing eleven for India's Champions Trophy opener, in which he has left out Shami and star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
There is confusion over the fitness of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, that is why India has included Arshdeep Singh in the team as a backup. There are only three fast bowlers in the Indian squad, and Mohammed Siraj did not get a place in the team. “You can drop any one of the fast bowlers,” Bangar said on Star Sports' 'Follow the Blues' programme. If both Arshdeep and Bumrah are available, you can leave Shami out. Shami is not a starter for me. Then it will be one of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. There will also be a reserve wicketkeeper, in this case Pant may sit out.”
Bangar selected these players in his playing eleven: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. He said, “With the return of Shami and Kuldeep, the bowling looks strong. Shami has played all three formats in domestic cricket and is fully fit now.”
Bangar expressed confidence in Shami's fitness and said, “After playing domestic cricket, it is a clear indication that Shami has regained his fitness. He is fully ready to bowl and will play most of the matches from the first match against England. The more matches he plays, the better he will perform because Shami's history shows that.” India has to play a series of five T20 and three ODI matches against England from January 22 before the Champions Trophy, in which Shami is included in both the squads.
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