Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will remain the mainstays of India's ODI batting line-up for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy despite their disastrous tour of Australia and their long-standing poor form with the bat. However, the ODI futures of KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja are uncertain.
The inclusion of KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja in India's squad, which is scheduled to be selected this weekend for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, is under review, PTI reported. But there are very slim chances of them being selected in the Champions Trophy squad.
KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja are in doubt for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
On the other hand, with Rishabh Pant likely to be the first choice wicket-keeper, KL Rahul's role as back-up wicket-keeper also falls under the red light. If Rahul does not maintain his place, the right-handed batsman's place is also not guaranteed in the upcoming eight-nation tournament.
Indian youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to have a strong chance of making India's squad for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, providing a left-handed option in the top four. And if Gautam Gambhir has any influence on the selections, Sanju Samson could also make the cut.
An India Today report claimed that the future of KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja in ODI cricket will be discussed when the Indian selectors meet this weekend to select the team for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy scheduled in February-March.
KL Rahul's struggles and Ravindra Jadeja's decline in form are under the microscope for CT selection
Since the 2024 ODI World Cup final, India have played six ODI matches. While Jadeja was rested, Rahul played in both the home and away matches against South Africa and Sri Lanka. However, Rahul was dropped during the Sri Lanka series after struggling to score in the middle overs.
People still remember how Rahul's slow half-century, in which he took more than 100 balls, contributed to India's loss to Australia in the World Cup final. Rahul also failed to live up to expectations in the recent Test series in Australia and his batting average may play a role in him not being selected.
Speaking of Ravindra Jadeja, the Indian left-arm spinner, his form has dropped significantly in white-ball cricket with the bat and the selection committee is said to be looking at Axar Patel as a more reliable option in ODI cricket at the moment.
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Mohamed Al-Shami is almost certain to win the 2025 ICC Champions Cup
Meanwhile, Washington Sundar is almost certain to make it into the CT 2025 squad as an uncapped player, but there are concerns about Kuldeep Yadav's fitness. However, Kuldeep is close to full fitness, but he has not played any match in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, which is a major concern for the selectors. If Kuldeep does not feature, it is expected that either Ravi Bishnoi or Varun Chakravarthy will get a place in India's squad for the upcoming mega event.
On the other hand, Mohamed Al-Shami's physical condition caused some confusion, with his communications with the team management and selectors lacking clarity. However, Shami has bowled eight overs in his last two matches in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, proving that he is still in the mix.
If Jasprit Bumrah is ruled out due to persistent back spasms, Shami's experience will become invaluable for India, seeing him lead India's pace attack in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. However, Shami will have to prove his fitness and form in the ongoing 50s. Championship.
