Team India will leave for Dubai to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after their ODI series against England concludes on February 12. Part of Group A along with the host nation, Pakistan, and Bangladesh and New Zealand, India will begin their campaign the day following the opening day of the tournament, February 19.
As a preparation, India is set to play only one warm-up match, which is likely to be against Bangladesh. This practice game will be important for the team to get accustomed to the conditions of the Dubai International Stadium. According to reports in Dainik Jagran, talks are in process to zero in on a date for this warm-up match, with ICC officials confirming that all of India’s matches will be held in Dubai.
However, in case of failure to reach an agreement with Bangladesh, the alternative will be the United Arab Emirates. Though UAE does not feature in the eight countries taking part in the tournament, they are still available to serve for practice match purposes.
Team India is gearing up for the Champions Trophy, and currently, they are into a five-match T20I series against England with three ODIs remaining. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced a 15-man squad for both series where seamer Harshit Rana has been named as a cover for Jasprit Bumrah for the first two ODIs.
Bumrah, however, has been included in the final list despite the concerns over his fitness. It is being said that only a dramatic improvement would see him be prepared for the marquee event and the BCCI has already brainstormed over his replacement in case he is ruled out following medical tests. Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj are the names being considered.
The squad holds Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya in its top bracket, the very names leading it to take every possible interest to show some good stuff within the game tournament.
