Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], February 14: Former cricketer Kapil Dev extended his best wishes to the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The eight-team tournament, which will take place from February 19 to March 9, will be hosted across Pakistan and Dubai, with India playing its matches in Dubai under a hybrid model.
Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Kapil Dev emphasized the importance of the entire squad in a championship-winning effort, stating, “I want to wish all the luck and hope to the team. Every player is important but when you have to win the championship, do not depend on one player. It depends on the team…”
India’s campaign in the Champions Trophy will begin with a match against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by the much-anticipated clash with Pakistan on February 23. India’s final league match will be against New Zealand on March 2.
Regarding Team India’s squad, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the absence of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah from the tournament due to a lower back injury. Bumrah’s place in the squad has been taken by Harshit Rana. The BCCI made the announcement in a statement released on Tuesday night.
India’s Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- Shubman Gill (Vice-captain)
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (WK)
- Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Harshit Rana
- Mohammad Shami
- Arshdeep Singh
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Varun Chakaravarthy
Non-travelling substitutes:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Mohammad Siraj
- Shivam Dube (These players will travel to Dubai as and when required)
With the tournament fast approaching, all eyes will be on the Men in Blue as they aim to clinch the prestigious trophy.