Several players who have been out for a long time have been recalled to the ODI squad, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, who received his first call-up.
Jasprit Bumrah is not fully fit, yet the star pacer has been included in India’s Champions Trophy squad. After making his return to the T20 team, Mohammad Shami has now been brought back into the ODI squad, while Jaiswal is also set to debut in ODIs.
On Saturday, the Indian selectors named a 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy, which includes several players who haven’t played ODI cricket in a while. India will face England in three ODIs on home soil with this squad.
After Rohit Sharma stepped down from the final Test of the Australia tour, speculation about his international future arose. There were doubts about his participation in the Champions Trophy as well, but the selectors have put those rumors to rest by naming him the captain. Shubman Gill has been named his deputy.
Bumrah had left the field during the Sydney Test with back discomfort, sparking concerns about his participation in the Champions Trophy. However, despite not being fully fit, he has been included in the squad. The final decision on his participation will depend on his fitness, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar has mentioned that Bumrah’s condition will be assessed in early February.
Mohammad Shami, who last played in the ODI World Cup final, pacer Hardik Pandya, and spinner Ravindra Jadeja are also included in the squad. Kuldeep Yadav, who returned after recovering from a knee injury, is also part of the team.
After the World Cup, Shami underwent ankle surgery and later faced knee problems, keeping him out of action for a while. His international return began with the Border-Gavaskar series, although he was not included in the Test squad. He made his return to the team during the T20 series against England and now finds himself back in the ODI squad.
Pandya was sidelined during the 2023 World Cup due to an ankle injury but made his return to cricket during the 2024 T20 World Cup. Now, he is set to make his return to ODIs before the Champions Trophy.
Jaiswal has shown glimpses of his batting prowess in Tests and T20s but has yet to play an ODI for India. He could make his debut during the England series or in the Champions Trophy.
Mohammad Siraj has not been included, but Arshdeep Singh, who claimed the most wickets (20) in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this season, has earned his spot. Arshdeep was also pivotal in India’s T20 World Cup win.
In addition to Pandya and Jadeja, the squad also includes all-rounders Akshar Patel and Washington Sundar.
There is still a chance for teams to make changes before the Champions Trophy, as the final squads must be submitted to the ICC by February 11.
India’s three ODIs against England will take place on February 6, 9, and 12. This will be India’s third ODI series since the World Cup and will play a significant role in their preparation for the Champions Trophy.
The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan and the UAE, with India playing their matches in the UAE. India’s campaign will begin on February 20 against Bangladesh, followed by a match against arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23, and their final group-stage match against New Zealand on March 2.
India squad for the England series and Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
