ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Ajit Agarkar to justify selections as India squad to be announced on.....

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce Team India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to be played in Pakistan and Dubai. The official announcement is expected to be made on January 18, with a press conference led by Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of selectors, and skipper Rohit Sharma.

India and Pakistan are the only two teams yet to announce their provisional squads for the Champions Trophy. The ICC had set January 12 as the deadline for all eight participating nations to reveal their preliminary squads, but India's announcement has been delayed due to fitness concerns surrounding key players.

India's Squad for the Champions Trophy Will Be Picked on January 18

According to Sports Today, India's squad for the Champions Trophy will be picked on January 18 in Mumbai, followed by a press conference with selector chairman Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma.

Veteran opener Rohit Sharma is likely to lead the team in the upcoming ICC tournament, which is set to start on February 19.

Team India to Play Three-Match ODI Series Against England

Earlier reports suggested that India's squad for the Champions Trophy would be announced by January 12. However, in an interview with Sports Tak, BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla confirmed that a meeting will take place on January 18 to finalize India's squad for the upcoming marquee tournament.

The BCCI revealed the T20I squad for the series against England, set to begin on January 22. India is also scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against England. It is expected that the announcements for both the ODI squad and the Champions Trophy squad will occur during the press conference.

India Set to Begin Champions Trophy Campaign Against Bangladesh on February 20

Players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Hardik Pandya seem certain to make the squad. There is no clear update on pacer Jasprit Bumrah's participation, as he only bowled 10 overs in the fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test against Australia in Sydney due to back spasms.

Mohammad Shami, who has been active in domestic cricket, remains uncertain regarding his fitness and selection. Kuldeep Yadav has resumed bowling in the nets, but his fitness is still unconfirmed. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is expected to be a key inclusion due to his experience and all-round capabilities.

India is placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Their campaign will kick off on February 20 against Bangladesh, followed by a high-profile match against Pakistan on February 23. India's final group-stage match is against New Zealand on March 2.

All matches will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. If India qualifies for the semi-finals, they will play the first game on March 4. The final will also be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium if they advance. Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the final if India does not make it.

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