India squad for England series and ICC Champions Trophy likely to be out together

Even though the focus remains on the Border Gavaskar Trophy, the discussions are ongoing for limited-overs cricket. India squad for England series and the ICC Champions Trophy could be out together after the end of the IND vs AUS Test series. IND vs ENG T20I series begins on Jan 22 while the ODI series which will be a preparatory series for India Cricket Team will start on Feb 6. India will play five T20Is and three ODIs against England before leaving for Dubai.

The ICC has set Jan 12 as the provisional squad submission deadline for Champions Trophy 2025. The final deadline for submitting the squad would be Feb 12 after which BCCI would need ICC technical committee’s permission to make changes to the squad.

No Jasprit Bumrah in IND vs ENG T20Is

However, considering the workload of Jasprit Bumrah, the premier pacer will get a month-long rest. He will miss the T20I series. Mohammed Siraj is also set to miss the T20I series. Apart from them, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal could also be rested from the T20I series.

“Jasprit has had a long tour. He needs rest before the important Champions Trophy. He will also play the IPL immediately after the Champions Trophy before the England series. So, we need to treat him carefully. T20Is are not in focus at the moment. So, the workload management plan will come into effect,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.

Probable squad for T20I series

With the Test regulars resting, BCCI will call up the white-ball specialists for the IND vs ENG T20 series. The likes of Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel will return. A call on Riyan Parag, Kuldeep Yadav and Mayank Yadav will be taken closer to the team selection.

All three are currently in rehab following injury bouts. Kuldeep Yadav underwent a groin surgery in Germany. He is currently at the NCA. But considering his recent history of injuries, it is unlikely that BCCI will rush his return. He will play a key role in the ICC Champions Trophy. Kuldeep will likely return for the IND vs ENG ODIs. Mohammed Shami could also make a comeback if he gets the clearance from National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Daily routines! pic.twitter.com/qmKryAtVcE

— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) December 11, 2024

Probable India squad

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Shivam Dube, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, Tilak Varma, Riyan Parag (if fit), Mohammed Shami (if fit).

India squad for ODI series

While speculations are rife about Rohit Sharma‘s Test retirement, he will continue to be India’s ODI captain. After a month-long break, Rohit will return to the ODIs. The IND vs ENG ODI series is crucial for India’s preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy.

The Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee is likely to announce the squad for the England ODI series and Champions Trophy together. The team will leave for Dubai a day after the series concludes on Feb 12. India’s first match in the Champions Trophy is against Bangladesh on Feb 20.

Apart from Rohit, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah will return. All of them will have a month-long break after the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Probable India squad

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Shami (if fit), Kuldeep Yadav (if fit)