India Unveils New Jersey for Champions Trophy 2025, Confirms Pakistan’s Name on Kit
Team India’s new jersey for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was officially unveiled on Monday, featuring star players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh posing in the fresh blue kit. However, it wasn’t the design that grabbed headlines—it was the inclusion of host nation Pakistan’s name on the jersey.
After weeks of speculation, the unveiling confirmed that Pakistan’s name was indeed present on the jersey, putting an end to controversy. Earlier, reports from Indian media suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might omit Pakistan’s name due to political tensions.
The debate gained traction as ICC regulations require all participating teams to display the tournament’s official logo, which includes the host nation’s name. The BCCI later confirmed that Team India would comply with ICC rules, ensuring there was no breach of protocol.
Photos shared by the ICC showed Indian players wearing jerseys featuring the Champions Trophy logo with “Pakistan” inscribed on it—marking the first time in years that an Indian kit has carried Pakistan’s name. A similar situation arose during the Asia Cup 2023, which Pakistan hosted, leading to the Asian Cricket Council opting to exclude the host country’s name from the tournament logo.
India’s Champions Trophy Campaign
The Champions Trophy 2025 begins on February 19, with hosts Pakistan facing New Zealand in the opening match in Karachi. While Pakistan will play its games at home, India will play all its matches in Dubai, including the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash on February 23.
Bowling Coach Morne Morkel Leaves Team Due to Personal Reasons
In a setback for India, bowling coach Morne Morkel has left the team’s camp in Dubai and returned home due to personal reasons. While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, speculation suggests the passing of his father.
Morkel’s unexpected departure could disrupt India’s bowling preparations, especially with Mohammed Shami struggling for form and the relatively inexperienced Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana leading the attack.
The former South African pacer had been with the Indian team since August 2023 and was part of the squad’s training sessions in Dubai before his sudden exit. It remains unclear whether he will return for the tournament.
IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Lockie Ferguson Joins PBKS for ₹ 2 Crore
India’s Bowling Concerns
Morkel’s absence adds to India’s growing worries, particularly with star pacer Jasprit Bumrah missing from the squad and Shami yet to find his rhythm. With India set to face Bangladesh in their opening match on February 20, the team, led by Rohit Sharma, is expected to resume training on February 19 after a scheduled break.
India’s Squad for Champions Trophy 2025
- Rohit Sharma (C)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Rishabh Pant
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Harshit Rana
- Mohammed Shami
- Arshdeep Singh
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Varun Chakravarthy
As India gears up for the tournament, all eyes will be on how they adapt to these last-minute challenges and whether they can overcome them to make a strong run in the Champions Trophy 2025.
