NEW DELHI: India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been announced and Rohit Sharma will lead the 15-member squad during their matches in Dubai next month. Rohit and Virat Kohli have received a lot of flak for their returns in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under, and an overall underwhelming 2024-25 Test cricket season.
In Australia, Rohit managed just 31 runs across three matches and five innings at an average of 6.20 while Virat scored 190 runs in five matches and nine innings at an average of 23.75, including a solitary century. Virat’s struggles outside the off-stump were a key talking point, with Scott Boland dismissing him four times during the series.
Despite the criticism, former India cricketer and legendary spinner Harbhajan Singh is confident that Rohit and Virat will bounce back in the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.
“Bada khiladi wahi hota hai jo comeback karna jaanta hai [A great player is one who knows how to make a comeback]. Virat and Rohit are players of immense stature, and they will shine in the Champions Trophy. We’ve seen how they perform in big tournaments – the ICC World Cup 2023 and the T20 World Cup are prime examples,” Harbhajan told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.
“Rohit, Virat, Shami, and Bumrah are match-winners. Every player faces tough phases, but these big players know how to bounce back. I am confident Rohit and Virat will come out all guns blazing in the Champions Trophy and lead India to the title,” the former spinner said.
India will play all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium, starting their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20.
The much-anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan will take place on February 23 and India’s final league match is scheduled against New Zealand on March 2.
India, who have won the ICC Champions Trophy twice, will aim to reclaim the title, while Pakistan, the winners of the 2017 edition, remain strong contenders.
Harbhajan believes the India-Pakistan encounter will generate an electrifying atmosphere in Dubai and is confident of India’s victory this time.
India’s last match against Pakistan in Dubai was back in 2022, where the Rohit-led side suffered a five-wicket defeat.
“India will definitely win against Pakistan,” a confident Harbhajan said.
“This match is happening after a long time, and there’s always excitement and buzz around it. Dubai is home to a large number of Indians and Pakistanis, so the atmosphere will be electric with huge support for both teams. But I believe India is going to emerge victorious,” he added.
YASHASVI AN EXCEPTIONAL TALENT
India have included young Yashasvi Jaiswal in their squad for the Champions Trophy. Yashasvi had an outstanding performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer of the series and the highest for India with 391 runs in five matches at an average of 43.44, including one century and two fifties.
Yashasvi is yet to make his ODI debut but has played 23 T20Is, amassing 723 runs, which includes one century and five half-centuries. Harbhajan believes Yashasvi’s inclusion will provide the team with a valuable right-left batting combination.
“Yashasvi is an exceptional talent. He has already proven himself in red-ball cricket with the way he provides solid starts for the team. His combination of composure and aggression is incredible, and when these qualities merge, we get a player like Yashasvi,” Harbhajan said.
“He has excelled in Tests, and this format will suit him just as well. White-ball cricket will bring out the best in him,” he added.
