Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian team, with Shubman Gill appointed as vice-captain. Among the new faces, four players are set to make their debut in ICC ODI tournaments, including the World Cup and the Champions Trophy.

One of the exciting new additions is left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, who gained fame with his impressive performance in T20Is. Arshdeep, who missed out on the 2023 World Cup squad, will now have the opportunity to debut in his first ICC ODI tournament. He has taken 12 wickets in 8 ODIs for India.

Another debutant in the squad is Washington Sundar, an all-rounder who has represented India in both T20 and ODI formats. Sundar will play in the Champions Trophy and the upcoming three-match ODI series against England. He has taken 23 wickets in 22 ODIs for India and will be looking to make his mark in the ICC event.

Axar Patel, recently appointed vice-captain for T20Is, will also be making his debut in an ICC ODI tournament. Having played 60 ODIs, Patel has claimed 64 wickets and scored 568 runs for India. His debut in ICC events will mark a significant step in his career.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young star who has already made waves in T20 and Test cricket, will be hoping to make his ODI debut during the series against England. Jaiswal has not yet played an ODI for India and will be looking forward to his first appearance in an ICC tournament.

These four new players are aiming to make their mark in the international cricket scene and help India secure glory in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. The exclusion of Mohammad Siraj and Sanju Samson from the squad has come as a surprise, and they will be hoping for future opportunities.

India’s Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

• Rohit Sharma (Captain)
• Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain)
• Virat Kohli
• Shreyas Iyer
• KL Rahul
• Rishabh Pant
• Hardik Pandya
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Axar Patel
• Washington Sundar
• Jasprit Bumrah (subject to fitness)
• Mohammad Shami
• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• Ravindra Jadeja

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Controversial Tour Schedule Sparks Backlash

Although the official schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has not been announced, Pakistan had already initiated a nationwide tour of the trophy. This included controversial stops in Skardu, Hunza, and Muzaffarabad—regions located in PoK. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled this plan, seemingly to provoke India, despite India’s firm stance against sending its team to Pakistan.

In response, India lodged strong objections with the ICC. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) argued that Pakistan’s actions were an attempt to politicize the tournament and provoke India. Following deliberations, the ICC canceled the PoK leg of the trophy tour, delivering a major setback to the PCB’s plans.

India’s Firm Stance: Hybrid Model Proposal

India has consistently maintained that security concerns prevent its participation in Pakistan-hosted tournaments. The BCCI has proposed conducting the Champions Trophy in a hybrid model, where matches involving India are hosted in a neutral venue. However, the PCB remains adamant against such an arrangement, further delaying the official schedule announcement.

Impact on Pakistan’s Reputation

The ICC’s decision to cancel the PoK leg has brought Pakistan under scrutiny on international platforms. The move has raised questions about Pakistan’s ability to host the tournament responsibly and without controversy. This comes as yet another blow to the PCB, which is already grappling with logistical and diplomatic challenges.

What’s Next for the Champions Trophy?

The Champions Trophy is currently slated to be held in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi. However, the venue for the tournament remains uncertain. With the BCCI insisting on a hybrid model and security concerns looming, there are growing speculations that Pakistan might lose its hosting rights altogether.

In such a scenario, South Africa and the UAE are emerging as potential alternative hosts. If the ICC changes the venue, Pakistan could still participate in the tournament, albeit under diminished hosting responsibilities.

Conclusion

The ICC’s decision to cancel the PoK leg of the Champions Trophy tour is a clear message that international cricket cannot be used for political provocations. While Pakistan faces setbacks in its hosting plans, India’s firm stance and strategic diplomacy have played a crucial role in steering the situation. Cricket fans worldwide now await the final announcement on the tournament’s schedule and venue.

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This approach would involve holding India’s matches at neutral venues in the UAE, while the remaining games would be hosted within Pakistan. This hybrid model echoes the 2023 Asia Cup arrangement, where Pakistan hosted the tournament, but India played its matches in Sri Lanka due to similar concerns.

According to a PTI report, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials are diligently working to finalize plans, aiming to host India’s matches in Dubai or Sharjah should the Indian government not permit the team’s travel to Pakistan. The PCB has reportedly submitted a draft schedule with the hope that it will encourage ICC to move forward with a confirmed schedule release on November 11.

Sources close to the PCB reveal that this request for a hybrid arrangement is more than just logistical planning—it’s a strategic effort by Pakistan to welcome India for a landmark international tournament on Pakistani soil. Officials are reportedly pressing the ICC to engage the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and secure written confirmation about whether India will participate in Pakistan or require alternative arrangements in the UAE.

This effort by the PCB to attract Team India to Pakistan underscores the deep significance of the Champions Trophy for Pakistan, both in terms of cricket and diplomatic relations. Not only would it offer a rare chance for the country to host one of cricket’s marquee events, but it would also signal a strong step toward normalizing cricket relations between India and Pakistan.

With the final decision resting on the Indian government’s stance, the outcome remains uncertain. However, the PCB’s willingness to adjust its schedule and push for a hybrid format shows its commitment to hosting the tournament successfully. This development also reflects how cricket diplomacy is playing a pivotal role in overcoming traditional boundaries, even if it requires creative solutions like split-hosting.

If the hybrid model goes forward, fans can expect to see the tournament split between Pakistan and the UAE, with Dubai or Sharjah hosting India’s games while the rest of the matches are played across venues in Pakistan. This setup, while unconventional, would enable both nations to participate without compromising on their respective governmental policies.

For now, all eyes are on the upcoming ICC announcement expected on November 11, which will reveal the finalized schedule. As the cricket world awaits further updates, the Champions Trophy 2025 is shaping up to be a tournament that could redefine international cricket diplomacy.

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Three Countries in the Running

According to Sports Talk, three countries—Dubai, Sri Lanka, and South Africa—have emerged as potential hosts. The ICC is exploring three distinct plans for the Champions Trophy. The first option would involve hosting the entire tournament in Pakistan. However, if that proves unfeasible, the second option involves a hybrid model where matches involving Team India, as well as the semi-finals and finals, would be held in Dubai. The third option, now gaining traction, is to shift the entire tournament out of Pakistan, with Dubai, Sri Lanka, or South Africa hosting all matches. Although Pakistan would retain the official hosting rights, the matches would take place elsewhere.

Challenges with India-Pakistan Relations

A major roadblock to Pakistan’s hosting is the strained relationship between India and Pakistan. Given the political tension, it is unlikely that the Indian government will grant permission for Team India to travel to Pakistan. As a result, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is exploring alternative solutions to ensure the event’s success.

The PCB has already begun renovating stadiums in anticipation of the Champions Trophy, underscoring its commitment to hosting. However, if the ICC moves forward with the hybrid model, matches involving Team India could be held in Dubai, providing a neutral ground that is more feasible for India. This would mirror the arrangement seen in the recent Asia Cup, where Pakistan and Sri Lanka co-hosted the event under a hybrid model.

What Lies Ahead for the ICC Champions Trophy?

With the clock ticking, the ICC must decide on the most viable plan to proceed with the Champions Trophy. If the tournament moves entirely out of Pakistan, the hosting rights would still belong to the PCB, but the selected alternative country would handle the logistics. Whether through a hybrid model or complete relocation, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is shaping up to be a unique event that adapts to the challenges of the current political climate.

Cricket fans worldwide await the final decision, as it will not only affect the venue but also impact team dynamics and preparation. As speculation continues, all eyes are on the ICC and PCB to see how they navigate these complexities and deliver a thrilling Champions Trophy.

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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that the Indian team will only travel to Pakistan if granted permission by the Indian government. Recent statements from Union Home Minister Amit Shah have solidified India’s stance, indicating that the team will not be heading to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.

Amit Shah’s firm position on the matter echoes the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and reluctance to engage in talks with Pakistan until significant progress is made on this front. This decision has put the spotlight on the future of cricketing relations between the two nations.

The BCCI had proposed a hybrid format for the tournament, suggesting matches be held in Sri Lanka or Dubai to accommodate India’s concerns. However, the ICC’s response to this proposal remains pending, leaving the situation unresolved.

In light of these developments, it appears increasingly unlikely that Team India will participate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.

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