By Karan Agrawal 
The ICC Champions Trophy is a couple of months away and the fans might be in for a few surprises when the selection committee meets to zero in on India’s 15-member squad for the multination tournament scheduled to take place in Pakistan and Dubai.
The Squad
The Indian squad which is expected to be announced on January 12 can witness some prominent names who were an integral part of India’s campaign during the 2023 ODI World Cup getting snubbed due to their poor form or team combination.
If we talk about the batting department batter KL Rahul who fulfilled wicketkeeping duties in the absence of Rishabh Pant in the ODI World Cup might not find a place in the squad with first-choice wicketkeeper Pant fit and available for selection while out-of-form baters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will continue to form core of India’s batting lineup with Yashasvi Jaiswal all set to earn his maiden ODI call up following some breathtaking innings in Test and T20I cricket.
The Opportunity
Rahul’s possible omission leaves a slot open for a backup wicketkeeper a decision that won’t be an easy one for the selectors given the poor form of Ishan Kishan and the non-selection of Sanju Samson in the Vijay Hazare Trophy both of whom are the immediate candidates for the position of backup wicketkeeper.
The Combination
As far as the bowling department is concerned India might go with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar as the two all-rounders given their recent performances because Jadeja’s returns in white ball cricket have also diminished since the ODI World Cup.
The Uncertainty
The Rohit Sharma-led side might also be without the services of two of India’s leading pace bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. While there is still doubt over the nature of Bumrah’s injury which he sustained during the fifth and final test against Australia there has been a communication gap regarding Shami’s fitness between the selectors and the team management.
The Comeback
Shami who last played an international match in November 2023 has been playing for Bengal in the ongoing domestic season. The selectors are expected to announce the squads for the white ball home series against England and the Champions Trophy simultaneously.