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The Indian cricket team for the Champions Trophy will be announced on Saturday, January 18, at a press conference in Mumbai. The event will feature Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Men’s Selection Committee Chairman Ajit Agarkar. This announcement comes ahead of the tournament, which is scheduled to take place from February 19 under the hybrid hosting model. India will play all their matches in Dubai after refusing to travel to Pakistan. The International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced the hybrid format to accommodate this situation.
India-Pakistan in the Same Group
The Champions Trophy will feature eight teams divided into two groups of four. India and Pakistan are placed in the same group, adding extra excitement to the tournament. India will start their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by the much-anticipated clash with Pakistan on February 23 in Dubai. Their final group-stage match will be against New Zealand on March 2. The semifinals and final will follow, with the tournament culminating on March 8.
Fitness Concerns Over Bumrah and Kuldeep
India’s squad announcement has reportedly been delayed due to fitness concerns surrounding key players Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav. Bumrah suffered a back issue during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s final Test against Australia, while Kuldeep missed the series due to a knee injury. Both players have been under observation, and it remains to be seen if they will be included in the ODI series against England starting later this month.
ODI Squad for England Series
Alongside the Champions Trophy squad, the Indian team for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England will also be revealed during Saturday’s press conference. India will look to finalize their preparations for the Champions Trophy with this ODI series, which promises to test their form and fitness.
Karun Nair’s Spectacular Domestic Form
Another key selection debate revolves around Karun Nair, who has been in tremendous form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Nair has scored 752 runs in seven innings, including five centuries. The selectors may consider rewarding his performance with a spot in the squad.
Tournament Details and Format
- Dates: February 19 – March 8
- Host Nations: Hybrid (Dubai for India’s matches)
- Teams: 8 (divided into two groups)
- India’s Matches:
- February 20 vs. Bangladesh
- February 23 vs. Pakistan
- March 2 vs. New Zealand
All eyes will be on the Indian selectors as they finalize the squads for two major assignments—the ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy. With fitness concerns over star players and rising competition from domestic performers, the decisions made on Saturday could shape India’s fortunes in the coming months.
