The Indian Cricket Team is currently playing a 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. And with the first game ending in a draw, just 5 matches remain for the Men in Blue before they take part in the ICC Champions Trophy. As per the Future Tours Program (FTP), India will play England in February 2025 before taking part in the mega tournament.
Lack of practice and adequate game time looms large for the Men in Blue. With 2 remaining matches in August and the next 3 games, roughly 6 months away, India will have a hard time coping up to the 50 over format. Meanwhile the team will be playing Tests and T20I matches extensively.
One of the most pertinent questions is – are five matches enough for a proper preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy? After the heroics in the ICC T20 World Cup, India finished a 5T20I series in Zimbabwe. They are currently touring Sri Lanka. Following a month break, India will take on Bangladesh in their own back yard with 2 Tests and 3 T20I matches.
Five Matches, enough Preparation?
Up next, New Zealand is slated to visit India for a 3 match Test series. India then travels to South Africa for a 4 match T20I series. And then comes the all important Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. And in Jan-Feb, England visits India for 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs.
So in total, India has a remaining of 5 ODI matches before the ICC Champions Trophy starts. As for the veterans, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja retired from T20Is. Meaning they will play Tests and ODIs. And ahead of the mega tournament, the ace trio will play just 5 ODI games and 10 Test matches.
Meanwhile, in T20Is, a young rotated squad is likely to be used. This means India’s prime ODI squad will have very few gametime before the ICC event. But in all likelihood, the BCCI would love to arrange a couple of other ODI matches before the tournament kick starts in February.
