Mumbai, Jan 18 (Agency) lndia squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 has been announced on Saturday, with notable inclusions of pace bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, alongside all-rounder Hardik Pandya. The 15-man squad, led by Rohit Sharma, features several key players returning from injuries, and a debutant in the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has yet to make his ODI debut.Bumrah’s inclusion is subject to his recovery from back spasms sustained during India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign. His fitness will be crucial, as he is expected to spearhead India’s pace attack, with Shami joining him after recovering from a left Achilles tendon surgery.
Arshdeep Singh completes the pace trio, with Mohammed Siraj missing out. The allrounder department is well-equipped, with the return of Pandya following an ankle injury during the World Cup. Ravindra Jadeja, returning after a 14-month absence from ODIs, and Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, who featured in Sri Lanka, further strengthen the squad.India’s spin attack is bolstered by Kuldeep Yadav’s return after a hernia surgery. Vice-captain Shubman Gill, who has been in stellar form, faces competition for his opening spot with Jaiswal, a prolific performer in domestic cricket with a List A average of 54.KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant will serve as wicket-keeper options, with Rahul’s consistency during the 2023 World Cup being a highlight.India, placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 at the Dubai International Stadium.Prior to the event, India will face England in a three-match ODI series in February, serving as a warm-up for the marquee tournament. The full squad for the Champions Trophy is as follows:Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.