In response to a query on the sidelines of the One World One Family Cup 2025, Piyush Chawla, a member of the 2011 Indian ODI World Cup winning team, predicted the starting lineup for the Rohit Sharma-led squad in the forthcoming Champions Trophy.
The competition’s ninth edition, which begins on February 19, will feature India, the runners-up in the 2017 Champions Trophy.
The former leg-spinner said that India’s opening batsmen would be Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, after Rohit and Shubman Gill. KL Rahul will bat at number five while donning the wicketkeeping gloves. He will be pursued by three all-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya. Chawla chose two specialized seamers for his team: Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. However, the availability of the former is still unknown.
The following players are expected to play for India, according to Piyush Chawla: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah (if healthy).
India is currently engaged in a three-match ODI series against England at home.
Since losing to Sri Lanka 0–2 in the Island Nation in August 2024, they have not participated in an ODI. Jos Buttler and company were defeated by four wickets in the first ODI in Nagpur on Thursday, February 6, giving the Men in Blue a strong start.
India reached 249 runs in 38.4 overs thanks to half-centuries from Shubman, Shreyas, and Axar. Harshit Rana and Ravindra Jadeja both hit three-fors with the ball in the interim.
The second ODI will now take place at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday, February 9.
In contrast, India’s Champions Trophy campaign begins on February 20 against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India will meet Pakistan and New Zealand on February 23 and March 2, respectively, as part of the same group.
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