Rohit Sharma’s captaincy of Team India in Tests and ODIs is facing scrutiny following his lackluster performance in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The seasoned player was absent for the first Test, which India won in Perth, with Jasprit Bumrah stepping in as the acting captain. Upon his return from paternity leave before the second Test, things took a turn for the worse, culminating in a disappointing 1-3 series defeat.

In addition to his subpar performance, several controversies have emerged that have not aided his standing as skipper. Reports of leaks from the dressing room surfaced, and Rohit ultimately chose to withdraw from the final Test due to his struggles. Furthermore, media speculation suggested that there might be a rift between him and head coach Gautam Gambhir, raising questions about his future as captain.

However, during a press conference on Saturday, Ajit Agarkar announced India’s squad for the upcoming England ODIs and the 2025 Champions Trophy, reaffirming Rohit’s captaincy as he was included in the squad. The announcement took place in Mumbai and was made in the presence of Rohit.

During the press conference, Rohit addressed inquiries regarding his relationship with Gambhir, particularly following the dressing room leak allegations. He stated, “Both of us are very clear on what we wanted to do. I am not going to sit here and discuss what goes behind the scenes, every game tactically.”

He further emphasised, “It’s very clear in my mind. Gautam Gambhir is someone who trusts the captain on the field once we enter it. The discussions happen off the field, and when we take the field, it’s all about my decisions. That’s the kind of trust we share, and that’s how it should be.”

According to reports, Gambhir has expressed concerns about discipline within the Indian squad during the Australian series. Additionally, there are suggestions that the relationship between Gambhir and Rohit may have deteriorated, with another senior player reportedly lobbying for the captaincy position.

India’s cricket selectors have finalized the national squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, confirming the inclusion of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and the return of veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Led by Rohit Sharma, with Shubman Gill as the vice-captain, the team is gearing up for a significant cricketing event scheduled to unfold across Pakistan and Dubai.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, during a recent press briefing, highlighted the conditional inclusion of Bumrah pending a fitness clearance, expected to be provided by the BCCI’s medical team in early February. In light of this, Harshit Rana has been added to the squad for the three-match ODI series against England, providing additional cover for Bumrah.

The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams competing in 15 matches of 50 overs each. The high-stakes game between India and Pakistan is set for February 23 in Dubai, promising to be a major highlight. India kicks off its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, concluding the group stage with a match against New Zealand on March 2.

Group A comprises the current trophy holders and hosts, Pakistan, alongside India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. Group B includes the 2023 Cricket World Cup champions Australia, Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.

Ahead of the Champions Trophy, India will face England in a three-match ODI series starting February 6, following a five-match T20I series beginning on January 22 in Kolkata. The T20 series will see matches played across various cities including Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai, where the series finale will be held on February 2.

The full roster for the Champions Trophy features Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja.

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.