cricket: India Prepares for ICC Champions Trophy 2025, 01/2025, English, India

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is gearing up to announce the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, following the conclusion of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. The Indian selection committee is scheduled to meet on January 19, just after the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 18, to finalize the 15-member squad. As of now, India and Pakistan are the only teams yet to disclose their squads for this prestigious tournament, which is set to commence on February 19 in Karachi.

KL Rahul is expected to miss out on the wicketkeeper position, with Rishabh Pant being the preferred choice. The competition for the backup wicketkeeper role is heating up, with Dhruv Jurel, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan all vying for selection.

In women's cricket, Jemimah Rodrigues has made headlines by entering the top 20 of the ICC ODI rankings for the first time, achieving a career-high 19th position. This milestone comes after her impressive performance, scoring 102 runs in a match against Ireland, which helped India secure a commanding victory and a 2-0 lead in the series. Smriti Mandhana continues to hold her ground in the rankings, sitting at third place.

Concerns are rising regarding Gautam Gambhir's position as head coach of the Indian team, with his performance being evaluated based on the team's success in the upcoming Champions Trophy. Since taking over in July, the team has faced challenges, including a series of losses that have left the futures of key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma uncertain. Gambhir's contract extends until the 2027 World Cup, but his tenure could be at risk if the team does not perform well in the tournament.

Looking ahead, the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to take place from March 14 to May 25, featuring ten teams, including the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders. The tournament will follow a group stage and playoffs format, culminating in the final match on May 25.

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