ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Mohammed Shami doubtful, Kuldeep Yadav’s availability status revealed

After a disappointing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, India has shifted focus towards the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2024-25, as the BCCI and national selectors are chalking out a strategy to finalize the squad for the prestigious tournament.

India finds itself in a challenging position in finalizing the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2024-25, having played only three ODIs in 2024. Although the squad appears largely settled in the ODI format, the lack of recent form makes things tough for the selectors.

Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness doubts likely to force India to consider Mohammed Shami for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

However, the Men in Blue are set to face England in a three-match ODI series at home in February, but these games will take place after the Champions Trophy squad selection deadline of January 12 set by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

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It is being said that the BCCI will announce the squad for both the bilateral series (five T20Is and three ODIs against England at home) and the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2024-25 at the same time. However, there will not be many surprises in the ODI squads.

Meanwhile, RevSportz journalists revealed some interesting details about India’s think tank over the Champions Trophy squad selection. They revealed that if Jasprit Bumrah misses out, Mohammed Shami might lead India's pace attack in the upcoming marquee event, which will be held in Pakistan and UAE (only India's matches).

Mohammed Shami still not given the green light, doubtful for CT 2025

In a video shared on the RevSportz Hindi YouTube channel, the journalist also claimed that Mohammed Shami is still not on the radar for an India comeback at the moment, having last played for India in the ODI World Cup 2023 final last November due to an ankle injury. However, Shami’s ongoing fitness concerns raise questions about rushing him back into action and it cost them badly.

However, if Jasprit Bumrah is ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025, then the selectors will have no choice but to rush Mohammed Shami back into the international arena. The RevSportz journalist also claimed that Shami is likely to be named in India’s white-ball squads for the upcoming home series against England, but everything is dependent on his fitness and form.

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After recovering from a heel injury, Mohammed Shami has been playing domestic cricket for the past two months, representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, and Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. The 34-year-old pacer has performed well, taking four wickets in his Ranji Trophy comeback and 11 wickets in nine matches during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024.

Kuldeep Yadav is expected to regain fitness by January 20

Meanwhile, India’s wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav's fitness is also uncertain following his recent surgery, but he remains the team's preferred option for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. If the 30-year-old Kuldeep Yadav isn’t fit, Ravi Bishnoi is likely to get the chance.

However, the journalist revealed that Kuldeep Yadav is likely to regain his full fitness by January 20. And if the spinner clears the fitness test and gets clearance from the NCA medical team, Kuldeep Yadav will be surely picked for the upcoming England series and Champions Trophy 2025 as well.

Given Kuldeep Yadav’s remarkable performance in the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup, he would be given priority in the ODI, according to the reporter. It is also reported that Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav both will undergo fitness tests very soon, and their selection for the England ODIs is on the cards, but their participation will be subject to fitness.