NEW DELHI: The anticipation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 reached new heights as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the headshots of Team India’s star players in their official tournament jerseys. The images, shared on BCCI’s social media handles, showcased key players such as Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, captain Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Mohammed Shami, all donning their new attire as they face the upcoming marquee event with excitement and resolve.
Sharing the jerseys' images, BCCI captioned the post: "These pics from today. How good." The visually engaging photos quickly went viral among fans, showcasing the impressive kit and fuelling discussions online about Team India's prospects as they gear up for the tournament.
India’s Champions Trophy campaign is set to start with high-stakes encounters. The team will commence their matches with Bangladesh on February 20 and then face arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23, providing ample drama and rivalry right from the start. Following this, they will lock horns with New Zealand on March 2. Due to the hybrid hosting model, all of India’s matches will be played at the neutral venue of Dubai, not Pakistan, which adds another layer of intrigue as the team preps for their run.
Along with the excitement of the jersey reveal, injury concerns have cast shadows on Team India's preparation. Notably, they will miss their pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, sidelined due to a lower back injury. Young pacer Harshit Rana has been called up as his replacement, aiming to bring fresh energy to the side. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy also made the cut following his outstanding performances against England during the recent series.
Bumrah has not stepped onto the field since his last appearance at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia back in January. Adding to the squad shifts, young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made his ODI debut against England, has been moved to the non-traveling reserves, rounding out changes as the team focuses on their title aspirations.
India's squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 includes formidable names like Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Shami. The non-traveling reserves consist of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Shivam Dube, prepared to step up if needed.
Despite the initial reports, the jersey unveiled to the public came with one controversial twist—the prominent display of the host nation Pakistan's name on the kit. This feature sparked immediate reactions among fans and commentators alike, stirring discussions about tradition versus regulations.
The name “Pakistan” appeared alongside the Champions Trophy 2025 logo on the jersey, contrasting with prior sentiments where many speculated India might not include it. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified the matter by stating, "BCCI will follow every uniform-related ICC rule during the Champions Trophy," which effectively quelled rumors of any alternative designs.
This adherence to ICC rules marks uncharted territory for Indian cricket, differing from previous tournaments, such as the Asia Cup 2023, where host nation logos were omitted from the kits. This year, under definitive ICC regulations, such provisions have been eliminated, contributing to heightened scrutiny and sentiment surrounding the event before the matches even begin.
With two weeks to go before the tournament kicks off, the rivalry between India and Pakistan via the jersey itself adds drama and emotion to what is already the most talked-about event of the season. Both teams aim for supremacy, with India determined to reclaim its glory as one of the historical giants of cricket.
Adding to the narrative, ICC's decision to hold India’s matches at neutral venues amid political tensions with Pakistan speaks volumes about the current cricketing climate, keeping the spotlight firmly on both nations leading up to the event.
The Champions Trophy 2025 is not just another tournament; it’s the ninth edition, with India seeking to add to its legacy of success—having won the tournament previously, with victories cemented over rivals like England and Sri Lanka. Should Team India triumph here, it will mark their second ICC event victory consecutive to their T20 World Cup win last June.
With emotions running high and the stakes even higher, all eyes will undoubtedly be on Team India as they take the field not just wearing their new kits, but also with the weight of expectations and the legacy of cricket behind them. The jersey may simply be fabric, but it encapsulates the pride, history, and resilience of Indian cricket.