India’s strongest playing XI for Champions Trophy 2025

Discover India’s strongest playing XI for the Champions Trophy 2025. Explore the best team line-up, key players, and strategic analysis for the upcoming tournament.

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Ravindra Jadeja

India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy was finally announced on Saturday (January 18). Much of the squad was on the expected lines but it was headlined by Mohammed Shami’s comeback for the first time since playing in the World Cup final in November 2023. 

Mohammed Siraj is also missing from the squad but the 15-member group looks solid to do well in the tournament. Here’s the strongest playing XI of India for Champions Trophy 2025:

Captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill will no doubt open the innings. The duo did a fantastic job in the World Cup. Unless there are any last-minute niggles or injuries, they should open for India yet again and look to provide the team with good starts. 

Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will form the strongest middle-order of the tournament. These three players scored a lot of runs during the World Cup at home in 2023 and will be looking to do the same yet again. Kohli is an altogether different beast in the ODI format while Iyer can play the game according to the situation. 

Rahul will take over the wicket keeping duties having done it so well before. Moreover, his batting at number five has also flourished and would be keen on continuing in the same vein.

Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are the two all-rounders who are certain to make it to the playing XI. They will be expected to provide 20 overs with the ball and also do the finishing duties with the bat. The number eight spot will be up for debate but looking at team management’s preference for deep batting line-up, Washington Sundar is likely to make it.

Jasprit Bumrah, if fit, and Shami will form the new-ball bowling unit with Hardik Pandya as the third seamer. Kuldeep Yadav will be the lead spinner in the line-up alongside Jadeja and Sundar.

India’s playing XI for Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami

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