The selection process for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been a topic of much discussion, as Team India’s final squad was nearly finalized even before the official announcement. The BCCI had planned a press conference at 12:30 PM for the squad reveal, but the event was delayed by almost two and a half hours. The conference finally began at around 3:00 PM when Captain Rohit Sharma and Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar arrived to announce the squad. During this time, it was revealed that Shubman Gill would be the new vice-captain. However, discussions around this selection and the inclusion of Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper were the main reasons for the extended meeting.
Disagreements Over Captaincy and Wicketkeeper Role
According to reports from Dainik Jagran, the delay was largely due to extensive debates over who should take on the roles of vice-captain and wicketkeeper. Head Coach Gautam Gambhir had proposed Hardik Pandya as vice-captain, a role he had held during the 2023 World Cup, but this was opposed by Captain Rohit and the selection committee. Similarly, there was significant debate about who would be the designated wicketkeeper, with Gambhir favoring Sanju Samson, who had an impressive record in T20 cricket and was consistent in ODIs. However, Rohit Sharma and the selectors ultimately decided to retain Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper, sidelining Samson.
Pandya’s Fall from Grace and SKY’s Promotion
In a surprising turn of events, Hardik Pandya, who had been the vice-captain for both the World Cup 2023 and the 2024 T20 World Cup, lost his position. Following the retirement of Rohit Sharma from the T20 format, Suryakumar Yadav was appointed as the new captain for the T20 squad, and Hardik Pandya was left out of the leadership role. This reshuffling has raised several questions, particularly around the continuity of leadership and the strategic choices made by the selectors.
Team India’s Final Squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy squad has been officially announced, with key players like Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant among the core players. The squad also includes all-rounders Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, while the bowling department is led by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav. This team reflects the selection committee’s final decisions after much deliberation, aiming for the best balance for the upcoming tournament.