The BCCI unveiled India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 during a press conference at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, January 18. Rohit Sharma will lead the team in the prestigious tournament, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, while Shubman Gill has been appointed vice-captain
Reports from a leading publication on Sunday revealed that head coach Gautam Gambhir had advocated for Hardik Pandya as vice-captain, but Rohit and chief selector Ajit Agarkar supported Gill for the role.
Hardik, who previously served as vice-captain in the ODI World Cup 2023 and the T20 World Cup 2024, has since been removed from leadership positions. He was initially expected to take over as India’s T20I captain following Rohit’s retirement from the format in June 2024, but the role surprisingly went to Suryakumar Yadav instead. Meanwhile, Gill, who served as vice-captain during India’s ODI series against Sri Lanka in August 2024, has managed to retain the position.
Additionally, Gambhir reportedly pushed for Sanju Samson’s inclusion as the wicketkeeper-batter in the Champions Trophy squad. However, Rohit and Agarkar preferred Rishabh Pant for the role. Samson, who made history by becoming the first batter to score three T20I centuries in a calendar year in 2024, last played a 50-over game for India on December 21, 2023, in Paarl against South Africa, where he scored an impressive 108 runs batting at No. 3.
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