Not Hardik, Not Jasprit: BCCI Names Surprising Vice-Captain for Champions Trophy 2025

Jasprit Bumrah has been named in India’s squad for the Champions Trophy commencing on February 19, although his involvement hinges on his physical fitness, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar hopeful about his recovery. Bumrah was unable to bowl in the second innings of the Sydney Test due to back spasms, which raised worries regarding his readiness for the forthcoming white-ball series. Agarkar stated, “Bumrah was instructed to rest for five weeks; the BCCI will provide an update from the medical team. We are optimistic he will be fine after the initial week of February. ”

Shubman Gill has been designated as vice-captain for the England ODI series and the Champions Trophy. For the three ODIs against England, seam-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana has been included, while Mohammed Siraj has been left out in favor of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh.

Emerging opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has returned following hernia surgery, are also included in the squad. India is scheduled to compete against England in three ODIs from February 6 to 12, in Nagpur, Cuttack, and Ahmedabad, prior to the commencement of the Champions Trophy on February 19.

India, placed in Group A, will conduct their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai after failing to obtain permission to travel to Pakistan. They will take on Bangladesh on February 20, Pakistan on February 23, and New Zealand on March 2.

India squad for England ODI series and Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill (vc), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana (only for England ODIs).