India’s Champions Trophy Squad: Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya in Spotlight

By Umesh Kumar

I am a Passionate Cricketer, Writer and Believer who Happy to serve you from this Platform.

Posted: January 17, 2025
Last updated: February 26, 2025

Listen to this article

The Indian cricket team is gearing up to announce their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. The announcement is expected to be made on Saturday during a press conference featuring captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Ajit Agarkar. Both Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are confirmed picks for this crucial tournament, signaling their importance in the team’s strategy moving forward.

Rohit Sharma is keen on increasing his preparations, especially after a challenging run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia. In that series, Sharma managed to score only 31 runs over five innings, which has prompted him to intensify his training. Recently, he practiced with his Mumbai Indians teammates at the Reliance Corporate Park in Navi Mumbai. During this session, a video shared by Mumbai Indians showcased India all-rounder Hardik Pandya bowling to Sharma in open nets under the lights. This session highlighted Sharma’s determination to improve his form against the white ball ahead of the Champions Trophy.

The practice session was particularly noteworthy as it not only provided Sharma with an opportunity to hone his skills but also marked Pandya’s intensified preparations for his first international 50-over appearance in the upcoming ODI series against England. It’s an important comeback for Pandya, who missed international cricket due to an ankle injury during the ODI World Cup back in October 2023.

In previous tournaments, Rohit Sharma has consistently proven his mettle. He was the standout batsman during the recent ODI World Cup held at home, accumulating 597 runs with a strike rate exceeding 120. Additionally, Sharma also excelled in the T20 World Cup held in the Americas last year and was the top scorer for India in the ODI series against Sri Lanka in 2024, despite India’s overall loss in the series.

This upcoming squad announcement for the Champions Trophy holds significant weight as it sets the tone for India’s strategy and performance goals. Sharma’s presence, alongside Pandya’s resurgence, is expected to bolster India’s lineup as they aim for another shot at international glory.