[PICTURES] ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India announce a 15-member squad

[Hitman]

India Set to Play Champions Trophy on 'Fresh' Dubai Pitches After 'Specific Instructions' During UAE's ILT20: Report

India might not have to deal with slow and deteriorating pitches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium during their league-stage matches in the Champions Trophy. According to a report from PTI, two fresh pitches have been preserved specifically for India’s games in the marquee tournament, despite the stadium hosting 15 games in the recently-concluded ILT20.

India’s Champions Trophy campaign begins on February 20 against Bangladesh, followed by a highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on February 23, and concluding their group stage against New Zealand on March 2. All three fixtures will take place in Dubai, a venue that has seen heavy cricketing action recently, including the Women’s T20 World Cup, the men’s U-19 Asia Cup, and the ILT20.

During the ILT20, the Dubai stadium hosted 15 matches, including two important knockout games. To ensure quality pitch conditions for the Champions Trophy, two of the stadium’s 10 match strips were deliberately kept unused during the ILT20. A source informed PTI, "There are 10 match strips at the DICS. During the league stage, there was specific instruction that those two won’t be used now and needed to be kept fresh for the Champions Trophy."

The decision to keep the pitches fresh is intended to avoid low and slow conditions caused by overuse, which could have slowed the game. The fresh pitches are expected to provide a fair balance, benefiting both batters and bowlers alike.

Historically, Dubai's pitches have been pacer-friendly, offering fast bowlers movement and bounce. With the use of fresh pitches, however, spinners – especially those with a quicker pace – could emerge as game-changers. The conditions are expected to offer a balanced contest between bat and ball.

India has selected five spinners for the tournament, including Varun Chakaravarthy, who replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal in the 15-member squad. Chakaravarthy made his ODI debut earlier this month during the series against England. The other spinners in the squad are Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-set-to-play-champions-trophy-on-fresh-dubai-pitches-after-specific-instructions-during-uaes-ilt20-report-101739728096094.html

Something for people to cry about if India does well.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Something for people to cry about if India does well.

India is bound to do well, they have a special trick with 5 spinners in the squad

 

[FearlessRoar]

Rishabh Pant was injured by a shot from Hardik Pandya

As per reports:

Rishabh Pant is doing perfectly fine. The wicketkeeper-batsman took a knock to his left knee during India's practice session yesterday. While he batted at the nets, he experienced some discomfort last night. However, there are no concerns now. India will have a training session later this evening.

 

[Devadwal]

Something for people to cry about if India does well.

What to cry about it . ICC events are play on Fresh pitch.

 

[Hitman]

What to cry about it . ICC events are play on Fresh pitch.

Some people need a reason or two. The same reason why that article was posted.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Rohit Sharma addresses the press conference ahead of India's first match against Bangladesh at the 2025 Champions Trophy:

"We have two spinners and three all-rounders. I am not looking at them as five spinners. Jadeja, Axar, Washington give us a lot of depth with the bat."

 

[FearlessRoar]

Morne Morkel Rejoins Indian Squad In Dubai Ahead Of New Zealand Clash

India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel has reportedly rejoined the Indian squad and was a part of the Indian team’s training session in Dubai on Wednesday.

The former South African pacer left the camp a few days prior to the opening game against Bangladesh due to a family emergency back home. According to a report by PTI, the bowling coach had a long chat with Gautam Gambhir while the players were doing their warm-up drills at the ICC academy in Dubai.

Among the squad, Shubman Gill was the only one to not turn up for training, the reason for his absence is not known. The opening batter has been outstanding in the tournament scoring a century and following it up with 46 as well.

Rishabh Pant was a part of the squad after missing out on the training session on the eve of the game against Pakistan due to illness.

The Men in Blue had one whole week to them after their win over Pakistan. They will now prepare themselves for their final group-stage fixture against New Zealand. But the contest will not have any significant impact both teams have already secured their spot in the semi-final.

Both India and New Zealand will be considered heavy favourites to win the tournament considering their performances. The Kiwis, led by Mitchell Santner have been outstanding against Pakistan and Bangladesh, securing wins against both teams and having a balanced squad. India, also has been equally dominant having secured easy wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh as well.

The final game could decide who among the Group B teams each side would face in the semi-final stage of the tournament. India having qualified, would play all their games in Dubai, something that has warranted criticism from several former players like Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain.

India opted to play their games in Dubai after refusing to travel to Pakistan due to the ongoing political tensions between the two countries. Pakistan, who are the designated hosts, crashed out of the tournament after being defeated in the two games against India and New Zealand.

While Group A has more or less settled, the qualification scenarios are still open in Group B with all four teams standing a chance to go into the elimination stages.

Champions Trophy 2025: Morne Morkel Rejoins Indian Squad In Dubai Ahead Of New Zealand Clash - News18

India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel has reportedly rejoined the Indian squad ahead of the New Zealand game in the Champions Trophy 2025.

www.news18.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Reports: Mohammed Shami is fully fit and even bowled in the nets on Wednesday. However, to manage his workload, he might be rested for India's final group-stage match against New Zealand.

 

[Vikram1989]

As per cricbuzz reports, selfless rohit is very uncomfortable with his hamstring injury and may not participate in nz match.pant may play in his place.He made sure jaiswal is not there with varun who cant play due to obvious our batting issues. One hell of a shameless guy and captain to make sure ur team don't have back up opener. Now the useless kl will open.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Shubman Gill To Captain India Against New Zealand? Report Makes Big Rohit Sharma Claim​

The Indian cricket team might just get a glimpse into the future in the Champions Trophy match against New Zealand, with vice-captain Shubman Gill likely to be given an opportunity to captain the team. With Rohit Sharma not hundred percent from fitness point of view, a report has claimed that the team management could decide to rest the skipper for the team's final Group A game in the Champions Trophy. Since India's progression to the semi-finals is already sealed, the management can afford to rest Rohit for the match.

If Rohit is indeed rested, vice-captain Shubman Gill is expected to lead the team. Gill has been backed by many to become India's captain, maybe even across formats, in the future. The cricketing fraternity, hence, might be able to take a sneak-peak into the future, understanding what sort of leadership skills Gill has.

According to Indian Express, Rohit is still struggling with a hamstring issue, he had sustained during the last match against Pakistan. He even walked off the field in the match, paving the way for Gill to lead the side. However, the Hitman later returned to take the baton in his own hands again.

On Wednesday, however, Rohit didn't hit the nets. He was the only Indian batter to give the training session a miss. The batter didn't even take throwdowns. He was spotted working with India's strength and conditioning coach and physiotherapist indoors, fuelling speculation that all is not well with respect to his hamstring.

If Rohit is rested, a lot of changes in the batting position of the unit could be seen for the New Zealand clash. Rohit's absence could force KL Rahul to open with Shubman Gill at the top. Such a change could see Rishabh Pant being drafted into the team, taking up the finisher's role from Rahul.

However, if Pant takes up the wicket-keeper's role too, Rahul would need to be placed in the outfield despite the fact that he has been keeping wickets since the start of the tournament.

Shubman Gill To Captain India Against New Zealand? Report Makes Big Rohit Sharma Claim | Cricket News

Shubman Gill could make his India captaincy bow in the Champions Trophy for the final Group A game against New Zealand.

sports.ndtv.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

India Team Manager Leaves In The Middle Of Champions Trophy 2025. Report Reveals Reason​

Indian cricket team manager R Devraj left the side in the middle of Champions Trophy 2025 after his mother died on Sunday, according to a report by Cricbuzz. The report stated that Devraj left for Hyderabad immediately after receiving the news. Devraj, who is currently the secretary of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), was in Dubai with the Indian cricket team but it remains unclear if he will resume his managerial duties. India will play in the first semi-final match on Tuesday and if the Rohit Sharma-led side is able to reach the final, the summit clash will take place on Sunday.

"With deep sorrow, we inform you that our Secretary Devraj's mother, Kamaleshwari garu, has passed away. May her soul rest in peace. Our heartfelt condolences to Devraj garu and his family," the HCA said.

India Team Manager Leaves In The Middle Of Champions Trophy 2025. Report Reveals Reason | Cricket News

Indian cricket team manager R Devraj left the side in the middle of Champions Trophy 2025 after his mother died on Sunday, according to a report.

sports.ndtv.com

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Something for people to cry about if India does well.

The truth.. you are a budhee jivii