Champions Trophy 2025: Discarded Indian Batter Back In Selection Fray, BCCI Gives Massive Update

The BCCI, after the team's recent Test series loss to Australia, is now focusing on the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. The tournament starts from February 19 in Pakistan with India playing all their matches in Dubai.

After a downhill performance in Test cricket, the team is looking to up the graph in the ICC multi-nation tournament. India last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 and are eyeing for their third Champions Trophy title.

The BCCI previously seeked an extension from the ICC to name their Champions Trophy squad at a later date. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla said that the Indian team for the Champions Trophy will be named on January 19. By now most of the teams have named their provisional squad for the tournament. They can make changes to the squad till February 13.

Ishan Kishan Back In Selection Fray

Meanwhile, in a recent development, Ishan Kishan is back in consideration for selection for the tournament. He lost out on his central contract after skipping the domestic tournament. However, he is now back playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy where he has scored 316 runs in seven games.

He is a potential candidate for the second wicketkeeper's role. Rishabh Pant is the first choice and Kishan is the second. KL Rahul is not expected to keep anymore going forward. BCCI as of now is not considering Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel for ODI selection.

Both have been selected the upcoming T20I series against England. The Ajit-Agarkar-led selection committee is keen on giving Samson a longer run in T20Is and use his batting ability at the top-order.

Talking about India's potential Champions Trophy squad, Rohit Sharma is expected to lead India in the tournament. Virat Kohli is also expected to play as the senior players are still very important for India's white-ball squad going forward.

The Indian team is in transition and hence the management is not yet ready to leave the senior players. Their recent performance in the Test series against Australia has certainly brought them some criticism on their form.