India have begun their Champions Trophy 2025 preparations with an impressive 3-0 whitewash over England, sealing the series with a brilliant 142-run victory in the third ODI in Ahmedabad. The dominating performance saw the Men in Blue excel in all departments.
With the Champions Trophy set to begin on February 19, India will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai, followed by the most awaited clash against Pakistan on February 23. Their final group-stage match is against New Zealand on March 2. While Pakistan is the official host, the Rohit Sharma-led side’s matches will be played in Dubai due to political reasons.
BCCI made key changes to the squad ahead of the deadline, with Jasprit Bumrah ruled out due to injury. Harshit Rana replaces him, while Varun Chakaravarthy comes in for Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, this important series answered some big questions that were crossing everyone’s mind before heading into this prestigious competition.
Let’s take a look at 3 questions that India answered before the Champions Trophy 2025:
3. Top-order back in form:
India’s top order was under scrutiny after their struggles in the Test series against Australia. However, with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, they have found their rhythm just in time. Rohit Sharma silenced his critics with a stunning 119 in Cuttack, while Virat Kohli showed glimpses of his best with a fifty in the final ODI. KL Rahul, despite a slow start, played a crucial hand in the third ODI.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, who had an impressive 2023 in ODIs, is back at his best. The young opener scored consistently in the series against England, registering two fifties and finishing with a magnificent ton in the final ODI in Ahmedabad. The Punjab batter won the Player of the Series for scoring 259 runs across three games. Shreyas Iyer has also rediscovered his form. After dominating the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he carried his form into the ODIs against England, scoring two fifties, and looks set to be India’s X-factor in Dubai.
2. Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement:
India opted for young pacer Harshit Rana as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement for the upcoming competition, a decision that grabbed eyeballs and triggered the question of whether he is a good replacement. While many expected Mohammed Siraj to come in, the selectors backed Rana, who featured in all three ODIs against England following Bumrah’s injury confirmation.
Despite conceding runs at times, the Delhi speedster impressed with six wickets at an average of 24.33, making him India’s most successful pacer in the series. His ability to bounce back was evident when he dismissed three batters after being taken for 26 runs in an over by Phil Salt on debut. With Rana likely to partner either Mohammed Shami or Arshdeep Singh, India has shown faith in its new pace attack.
1. Indian pacers hunt in pack
One big positive for India ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is the performance of their fast bowlers in the recently concluded ODI series against England. Despite Jasprit Bumrah being sidelined due to injury, the other pacers stepped up, claiming 13 wickets across three matches.
Debutant Harshit Rana made an immediate impact, picking up six wickets in three games. Veteran Mohammed Shami took two wickets, while Arshdeep Singh, who played the final ODI, also bagged two scalps. Hardik Pandya contributed with three crucial wickets, proving his all-round abilities.
With India’s matches scheduled to be played in Dubai, these performances are impressive. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has favoured fast bowlers, with pacers taking 466 wickets in 58 ODIs at an average of 28.6. In the recent ILT20 tournament, eight of the top ten wicket-takers at the venue were pacers.
