Announcement of India's CT 2025 squad maybe delayed

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may delay the announcement of the ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against England. While it was initially expected that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee would reveal the provisional squad for the Champions Trophy by January 12, adhering to the guidelines of the International Cricket Council (ICC), they are now likely to request for an extension. The T20 squad for the upcoming five-match series against England, though, could be announced within the next couple of days.

Ahead of every global event, the ICC requires participating teams to submit a provisional squad at least one month prior, with the liberty to make changes later. However, this time, the ICC requested the squads five weeks before the start of the tournament. The BCCI, citing recent commitments in Australia for the Test series, is expected to request for more time. It is likely that the provisional Champions Trophy squad, which will predominantly feature players from the three home ODIs against England, will be announced about a week later, around January 18-19. The Champions Trophy starts in Pakistan-UAE on February 19.

The T20 squad, expected to be announced over the next couple of days, will not have any surprises. It will mostly feature players that played recently against Bangladesh and South Africa, with no chance of players like Jasprit Bumrah or Mohammed Siraj being included. Both were, of course, absent from both those series as well.

Arshdeep Singh will spearhead the bowling attack in the T20Is, with a possibility of the left-arm Punjab pacer being included in the ODI squad as well. The major development, however, is the anticipated inclusion of Mohammed Shami in the ODI squad. While it remains uncertain if the veteran pacer will feature in the T20Is, there is a strong likelihood of his participation in the England ODIs and the Champions Trophy.

It is understood that Shami has either got the clearance from the Sports Science wing of the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru or is expected to get it. He recently played in the Vijay Hazare domestic one-day competition for Bengal. He last played for India in the World Cup in October-November, 2023. His long international hibernation will end soon.

It is unlikely that Nitish Kumar Reddy, the new kid on the block of Indian cricket, will be included in the ODI squad, though he is expected to retain his place in the T20I series against England. Washington Sundar, however, is likely to be part of the ODI squad, signalling his potential to become a regular across formats. Similarly, Yashasvi Jaiswal could also be picked for the ODI team.

England will play five T20Is and three ODIs, in that order, starting January 22. The three ODIs are on February 6, 9 and 12.