India is expected to announce its 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 by January 12, with a major development likely to be the appointment of Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain. According to reports from the Times of India on January 6, Bumrah, provided he is fit, is set to be named as Rohit Sharma’s deputy for the prestigious tournament.
Bumrah has been an integral member of India’s leadership group, having captained the team during the first and fifth Tests in the recently concluded five-match series against Australia. His leadership role isn’t new, as he has been a part of India’s Test leadership group since 2022. In fact, Bumrah led India during the one-off Test against England in 2022 and took charge in two matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the ongoing 2024-25 series. His exceptional performance in the Test series, where he finished as India’s top performer with 32 wickets, played a crucial role in his rise within the leadership ranks.
Although Bumrah’s appointment as vice-captain is highly anticipated, it also indicates that other candidates like Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya are not in contention. Gill, who was made part of the leadership group after the T20 World Cup and appointed vice-captain of the white-ball formats, will not be considered for the vice-captaincy. Similarly, Pandya, who served as vice-captain during both the ODI and T20 World Cups, has also been overlooked for the role.
Bumrah’s leadership journey has been marked by his performances both with the bat and the ball. During the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he became the standout player of the series, clinching the Player of the Series award. His tally of 32 wickets not only led India’s bowling attack but also helped him break multiple records, including surpassing Kapil Dev’s record for the most wickets by an Indian fast bowler in Australia. He also became India’s highest-rated player in Tests, according to the ICC rankings.
However, Bumrah’s fitness remains a concern, especially after he did not bowl in the final innings of the 5th Test due to a back spasm. To ensure he is fully fit for the Champions Trophy, Bumrah is likely to be rested for the upcoming England series, allowing him time to recover and prepare for the international tournament. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce the squad for both the England series and the Champions Trophy later this week.
With Bumrah’s leadership qualities and his extraordinary performances over the past year, the selection of him as vice-captain represents a significant step forward for India as they look to build a well-rounded leadership group for the Champions Trophy 2025. The upcoming announcement will be closely watched, with fans eagerly awaiting details of the squad and the leadership structure ahead of one of cricket’s most anticipated global events.
