India’s Squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Leadership Roles Under Spotlight
While the official announcement of India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is still pending, reports suggest the leadership roles are already decided. According to The Times of India, Rohit Sharma is set to lead the team as captain, a decision that reflects his consistent success and stability as a leader. For the vice-captaincy, selectors have reportedly chosen Jasprit Bumrah, provided he recovers in time from his recent injury. The vice-captaincy has been a highly debated position in recent years, making this decision particularly intriguing.
India hasn’t played many ODIs recently, with only three matches in 2024, which has allowed the team management to maintain continuity in leadership. Under Rohit’s captaincy, India delivered a stellar performance in the 2023 World Cup, reaching the final in dominant fashion, with Rohit also excelling as a batter. His leadership remains the backbone of the team.
What has sparked debate, however, is the decision to appoint Bumrah as the vice-captain. The role of deputy in India’s limited-overs setup has seen frequent changes over the years. During Rahul Dravid’s tenure, Hardik Pandya was the regular vice-captain, with KL Rahul occasionally stepping in. Shubman Gill was also handed the responsibility briefly in ODIs and T20Is following Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as head coach, but he now appears to be out of contention for the role.
The decision to back Bumrah reflects the selectors’ faith in his leadership potential. Bumrah recently captained India to victory in their lone Test win during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and continues to inspire with his performances on the field. His ability to stay calm under pressure and lead by example makes him a strong candidate for the vice-captaincy.
However, Bumrah’s participation in the Champions Trophy is far from guaranteed. After sustaining an injury during the final Test against Australia, he is likely to miss the ODI series against England, scheduled from February 6. This series serves as crucial preparation for the Champions Trophy, which begins just two weeks later.
If Bumrah is unavailable, the selectors will be left scrambling for a new vice-captain. The absence of a clear alternative could lead to further debates, as no single player stands out as a frontrunner for the role. This uncertainty has made the leadership structure a focal point in the lead-up to the tournament.
With only days left before the squad announcement, fans eagerly await clarity on Bumrah’s fitness and the selectors’ plans. The Champions Trophy is expected to be a tough competition, and India will need both strong leadership and a well-balanced squad to reclaim the title.
