The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that India’s squad for the forthcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be unveiled on January 18. The announcement is set to take place in Mumbai, followed by a press conference featuring India captain Rohit Sharma and the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar.

This press conference, scheduled for 12:30 PM following the squad announcement, will not include India head coach Gautam Gambhir. The meeting and subsequent briefing are expected to provide insights into the selections and preparations for the upcoming international fixtures.

In addition, the BCCI has recently introduced a 10-point policy aimed at enforcing discipline and unity within the team. This policy includes measures such as making participation in domestic cricket compulsory, restrictions on family and personal staff during tours, and a ban on individual commercial endorsements during series.

The cricket action will start with a five-match T20 International series against England, beginning on January 22 in Kolkata, with subsequent matches in Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai. This will be followed by the three-match ODI series starting February 6.

The main event, the ICC Champions Trophy, will commence on February 19 and continue until March 9. This year, the tournament will be hosted by Pakistan and the UAE under a hybrid model, with India’s matches taking place in the UAE. The highlight of the tournament is anticipated to be the high-stakes match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on February 23 in Dubai. India’s campaign will begin against Bangladesh on February 20, and the team will face New Zealand in their last league match on March 2.

The teams are grouped into two pools, with India placed in Group A alongside the current Champions Trophy holders Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. Group B includes the 2023 Cricket World Cup champions Australia, Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.

The cricketing landscape marked a significant event as Pakistan hosted West Indies for a Test series for the first time in 18 years. The inaugural Test began at Multan Cricket Stadium on January 17, with both teams eager to establish their supremacy. Pakistan, having faced setbacks in a recent series against South Africa, aimed to capitalize on their home ground, while the West Indies looked to enhance their position in the World Test Championship after recently drawing a series against Bangladesh.

Jayden Seales emerged as the standout player of the day, securing three wickets for only 21 runs across ten overs. His pace and accuracy played a pivotal role in dismantling Pakistan’s top order. The 22-year-old fast bowler exhibited remarkable control and aggression, reminiscent of West Indies legends like Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh. His ability to generate movement off the pitch posed significant challenges for even the most experienced batsmen.

Seales’ impressive performance was vital in putting Pakistan on the back foot early in their innings. His wickets not only underscored his potential but also highlighted his emerging reputation as one of the most promising fast bowlers in the West Indies. Each celebration of his wickets reflected his determination to leave a mark on this series.

Despite facing early troubles, the partnership between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan showcased commendable perseverance. Shakeel anchored the innings with an unbeaten 56 runs off 100 balls, while Rizwan supported him with a solid 51 runs from 80 deliveries. Their collaboration became a beacon of hope for Pakistan as they navigated through relentless bowling and challenging conditions.

Both batsmen adopted a methodical approach, focusing on building their innings by rotating the strike and seizing boundary opportunities. Their efforts proved essential in stabilizing the innings after a dismal start, helping Pakistan reach a total of 143 runs for four wickets by the time stumps were called.

As the day progressed, bad light once again disrupted play, leading to an early conclusion of the day’s activity at 143 for four after just over 41 overs. The match’s momentum was notably impacted by the weather conditions, which not only delayed the start but also curtailed play later in the day.

The day began with ominous prospects as adverse weather conditions caused significant delays. Fog engulfed the stadium, resulting in a late start that frustrated both players and spectators. Following multiple interruptions, play finally commenced, but Pakistan’s batting lineup quickly faced immense pressure from a formidable West Indies bowling attack.

Pakistan chose to bat first but rapidly stumbled under the pressure. The opening partnership was short-lived, with Muhammad Hurraira succumbing to the outstanding Jayden Seales for just six runs. Seales’ delivery epitomized his skill and set a daunting tone for the day’s play. He continued to wreak havoc, dismissing local sensation Kamran Ghulam and star batter Babar Azam within the first 14 overs, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position at 46 for 4.

Babar Azam struggled to demonstrate his skills in the ongoing first Test between Pakistan and West Indies in 2025, getting dismissed by Jayden Seales. The moment came as a significant blow when Azam edged a short ball that nipped away, attempting to defend without adequate foot movement, resulting in an outside edge to the wicketkeeper.

The replay revealed a clear thick edge, raising questions about his decision to review the dismissal. Following this, Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position at 55/4 after 19 overs, with Saud Shakeel on 16 runs and Mohammad Rizwan at 4 runs.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first in Multan. The match start was delayed by four hours due to heavy fog enveloping the stadium; although originally scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM, play only commenced at 1:30 PM. On a pitch that appeared somewhat dry, Pakistan opted for a spin-heavy lineup, including three specialist spinners, while Muhammad Hurraira made his debut by opening the batting.

Shan Masood, the captain, emphasized the importance of making their home conditions challenging for opponents, stating, “We have to think about home conditions and look at ways that make it difficult for us to beat at home. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to prepare a variety of pitches to suit different oppositions.”

On the West Indies side, changes were made as vice-captain Joshua da Silva was dropped, and Kemar Roach was unavailable due to illness. Tevin Imlach debuted as a batter, and the visitors included three spinners: Gudakesh Motie, Jomel Warrican, and Kevin Sinclair.

This Test series marks the conclusion of this World Test Championship cycle for both teams. The Pakistan lineup consists of: Shan Masood (captain), Muhammad Hurraira, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Agha, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Abrar Ahmed, and Khurram Shahzad.

The West Indies team features: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Kavem Hodge, Alick Athanaze, Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach (wicketkeeper), Gudakesh Motie, Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican, and Jayden Seales.