India’s Potential Champions Trophy 2025 Squad: Will KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer Miss Out?

As teams gear up for the 2025 Champions Trophy, all eyes are on the potential squads taking shape. With Pakistan set to host the prestigious event, India’s participation remains uncertain, but the focus for Gautam Gambhir and his team is clear: selecting the best 15 players to represent the country. One of Gambhir’s biggest challenges…


As teams gear up for the 2025 Champions Trophy, all eyes are on the potential squads taking shape. With Pakistan set to host the prestigious event, India’s participation remains uncertain, but the focus for Gautam Gambhir and his team is clear: selecting the best 15 players to represent the country.

One of Gambhir’s biggest challenges is the limited number of ODIs India will play before the tournament—just three matches. This makes it difficult to assess players based solely on their recent performances in the ODI format.

Who Will Open for India at the Champions Trophy?

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are almost certain to open the batting for India in the Champions Trophy. The pair has consistently provided strong starts, including a standout performance in the recent series against Sri Lanka.

KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer Dilemma

The inclusion of Virat Kohli in the squad is almost guaranteed, despite his recent struggles with the bat. However, the places of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are less secure. Both players underperformed in the ODIs against Sri Lanka and now face stiff competition from Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag. While they might still make the squad, they could find themselves starting on the bench.

Riyan Parag, who made a strong impression with his all-round abilities on his ODI debut, is likely to be included in the 15-member squad. On the other hand, Shivam Dube might lose his spot due to a lackluster performance in the Sri Lanka series, especially with Hardik Pandya set to return. Ravindra Jadeja’s place is also in jeopardy, with Axar Patel’s recent form making a strong case for his inclusion.

Bowling Line-up and Surprises

India’s bowling attack is expected to be led by Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. A potential surprise inclusion could be Harshit Rana, who has shown promise and might be the wildcard in the squad.

Probable India Squad for Champions Trophy 2025

– Rohit Sharma (C)

– Shubman Gill

– Virat Kohli

– Rishabh Pant (WK)

– Riyan Parag

– Hardik Pandya

– Axar Patel

– Jasprit Bumrah

– Kuldeep Yadav

– Mohammed Siraj

– Arshdeep Singh

– Harshit Rana

– Shreyas Iyer

– KL Rahul

– Yashasvi Jaiswal

The final squad will likely depend on form and fitness in the lead-up to the tournament, but these 15 players are strong contenders to represent India in the Champions Trophy 2025.