Champions Trophy 2025: Players Who Could be Retained and Brought New for India Squad

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The Champions Trophy 2025, beginning February 19, promises fresh opportunities for rising stars. Team India are set to announce their squad on January 18.

Several new faces could make their mark on cricket's grand stage. From dynamic openers to all-rounders and resurgent performers, here's a look at players who might shine if selected for the prestigious tournament.

Here is the list of players who may get the chance to prove themselves in CT 2025:

Yashasvi Jaiswal: Yashasvi Jaiswal made his debut in Test and T20I cricket in 2023, quickly establishing himself as an important asset for Team India. During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, he was the leading run-scorer for India. While Jaiswal has yet to make his debut in ODI cricket, he could be given the opportunity to feature in the Champions Trophy 2025. With Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma being the prominent contenders for the opening positions, Jaiswal might be selected as a backup opener for the squad.

Axar Patel: Axar Patel, who has impressed with his talent in recent years, particularly during the T20 World Cup 2024, could prove to be a key player for the team, especially in conditions like Dubai. He is also a strong second option as a left-handed bowling all-rounder and could serve as a backup for Ravindra Jadeja.

Nitish Kumar Reddy: With a shortage of fast-bowling all-rounders in India, Nitish Kumar Reddy has emerged as a strong contender for the Champions Trophy 2025. During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he scored crucial runs, including a century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and also contributed with the ball, taking important wickets. His all-round performance has made him a notable candidate for the fast-bowling all-rounder spot, catching the attention of the selectors.

Karun Nair: Karun Nair, who has scored five centuries and a half-century in seven innings during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, boasts an extraordinary average of 752, having been dismissed only once. His run tally is the highest for any batter who has scored over 500 runs in a single season of the tournament. Nair's outstanding performance not only demonstrates his resurgence but also strengthens his case for a spot in India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Harshit Rana: Harshit Rana's inclusion in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad might be challenging, but he could be selected if either Jasprit Bumrah or Mohammed Shami fails to recover in time for the tournament. Having made his Test debut for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025, Rana could become a strong contender if Bumrah and Shami are unavailable due to injury.