Rajeev Shukla, Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has already confirmed that the team for the Indian squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 would be announced on or before 18 or 19 February. He was at the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi, where he said, “The selection committee and secretary will meet on 18 or 19 February to decide the squad.”
The ICC Champions Trophy is one of the most-awaited cricket tournaments, and it comes as a warm-up to the World Cup. India’s campaign is going to be watched closely in view of their recent performances.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Schedule and Format
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played from February 19 to March 9 under a unique hybrid hosting arrangement. The matches will be played in Pakistan and the UAE, and India has decided to play its games in the UAE.
Format and Group Composition
Tournament Format:
The eight-team event will feature 15 ODIs across two groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals.
Group A Teams:
Pakistan: Defending Champions Trophy winners and co-hosts.
India: Led by Rohit Sharma, they will look to bounce back from recent struggles.
New Zealand: Known for their consistency in ICC tournaments.
Bangladesh: Emerging as a competitive force in global cricket.
Group B Teams:
Australia: ODI World Cup 2023 champions, featuring a strong squad.
England: A formidable white-ball team with explosive talent.
South Africa: Perennial dark horses of international cricket.
Afghanistan: A rising power with world-class spin options.
India’s Fixtures
February 20: India vs. Bangladesh (UAE)
February 23: India vs. Pakistan (Dubai)
March 2: India vs. New Zealand (UAE)
The marquee clash between India and Pakistan on February 23 in Dubai promises to be the highlight of the tournament, promising massive viewership across the world.
Rajeev Shukla Dismisses Claims of Team Divisions
Responding to media reports about alleged disagreements within the Indian cricket setup, Shukla dismissed claims of tension between head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and captain Rohit Sharma. “There is no rift between the coach, selection chairman, and captain. Such reports are entirely baseless,” he asserted.
India’s recent performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where they suffered a 1-3 loss to Australia, had fueled rumors of discord within the team management. Shukla stressed that the BCCI maintains a united front and that focus remains on the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Form Under the Scanner
The Test season in 2024-25 was tough for India’s most prominent batsmen, who are often known as the “Ro-Ko” pair, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Rohit Sharma:
Scored 164 runs in 15 innings with an average of 10.93. His best score was 52, leaving everyone worried about his form before the Champions Trophy.
Virat Kohli:
Scored 382 runs in 19 innings at an average of 22.87, with one century and one fifty. Better than Rohit, these are far below his career averages.
Shukla defended the players, saying, “Form is temporary in sports. Both Rohit and Virat have proven their mettle over the years.” He also revealed that Rohit chose to sit out the Sydney Test due to concerns about his own performance.
Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup: A Celebration of India’s Heritage
The first-ever Kho Kho World Cup was inaugurated in New Delhi on January 13, 2025. It marked a great milestone for the promotion of indigenous sports on a global platform.
Tournament Details
Duration: January 13–19, 2025.
Countries Participating: Teams from across the world, including India, Nepal, England, Australia, and others.
Opening Match: India defeated Nepal in the men’s division.
Promotion of Indigenous Sports
Rajeev Shukla said, “Kho Kho is a unique Indian sport, and showing it through a World Cup is a proud moment for the nation.”
The women’s section of the tournament will start on January 14 with England playing against Australia in the first match. The event will help increase the popularity of Kho Kho worldwide while maintaining its cultural flavor.
The ICC Champions Trophy is around the corner, and the Kho Kho World Cup is at its peak. Indian sports are in the limelight of the world. The BCCI has the challenging task of choosing a well-balanced team to play in the Champions Trophy, while India celebrates its heritage through the Kho Kho World Cup. Fans are eagerly waiting for both events, hoping for stellar performances from their favorite players and teams.