Arshdeep & Shami Picked In CT Squad, Siraj Dropped

The much-talked-about Indian team squad for the Champions Trophy is out. Skipper Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar sat down to name the squad for the England ODI series, which is set to run from February 19th to March 9th.

Side by side the captain and selector duo of Rohit Sharma & Ajit Agarkar also announced the 3-match ODI series against England. The 16-man squad sees Harshit Rana earning his maiden call-up for the One-day internationals. Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the England ODI depends on his fitness. If Bumrah isn't available then Harshit Rana is set to play against England.

Indian Troops For CT

Bumrah however, is expected to be available for the Champions Trophy alongside the comeback man Mohammed Shami who is set to feature for the first time for Team India after the ICC ODI World Cup in 2023. India also named Arshdeep Singh in the squad to complete the three-man pace attack with Siraj getting the axe.

India is well-oiled in terms of the all-rounder's department with the return of Hardik Pandya who last played an ODI in the 2023 ODI World Cup against Bangladesh. Pandya had suffered an ankle injury that ruled him out of the tournament. Ravindra Jadeja, who hasn't played in the ODI format for 14 months also returns to the squad giving batting depth, a bowling option, and most importantly a gun fielder in the point region. Washington Sundar & Axar Patel who played in the Sri Lanka series have also made the cut.

India's spin attack received another boost after Kuldeep Yadav returned to the squad following his spell on the sidelines after undergoing a hernia surgery. The 30-year-old played just the first Test of the home series against New Zealand before being ruled out for the remainder of the season with his groin injury.

Meanwhile, vice-captain Gill, who averages an excellent 58.20 in the format, may have to fight for his opening slot against Yashasvi Jaiswal after the selectors decided to pick the left-hander as the backup option. Jaiswal has had a great run in his International career so far in the two formats that he has played. Jaiswal though, is yet to make his ODI debut but has a great average of 54 in List A cricket and also adds the left-handedness in the top order which is at the moment dominated by the right-handers.

Among the 'keepers, India will continue to have the services of KL Rahul, who was stellar in the last World Cup. Left-hander Rishabh Pant is the other keeper-bat in the squad.

India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand. They'll open their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 at the Dubai International Stadium. They'll play three ODIs against England next month, in Nagpur (February 6), Cuttack (February 9) and Ahmedabad (February 12), in the lead-up to the marquee ICC event.

India Squad for Champions Trophy- Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant(wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal