BCCI set to announce Champions Trophy 2025 squad on THIS date, will ask ICC for more time

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to delay announcing the squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy. This comes despite the International Cricket Council (ICC) having set a deadline of January 12 for submissions. The BCCI is reportedly asking for an extension, and now the announcement is expected to happen around January 18 or 19.

This delay mainly arises from India’s recent games in Australia, where the team participated in a challenging five-match Test series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The packed schedule has led the BCCI to require more time to finalize the squad for the major tournament ahead.

Normally, teams submit their squads a month before the event, but this time the ICC has requested that submissions come in five weeks early. Teams have the option to adjust their squads up until February 12, which gives them some leeway as they gear up for the competition.

Meanwhile, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is expected to announce the squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against England soon. This series is scheduled to take place from January 22 to February 2, and it is likely that the squad will closely mirror the one that faced Bangladesh in October.

Additionally, there’s exciting news about Mohammed Shami making his return to the Indian team. After receiving the green light from the sports science department at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, he is set to play in the ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy, although it remains unclear if he will be part of the T20I squad.

As fans and cricket enthusiasts await details on the squad, the strategic choices made by the BCCI will be pivotal in shaping India’s approach toward this prestigious tournament.