By Karan Agrawal 
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee announced India’s 15-member squad for the three-match ODI series against England and the 2025 Champions Trophy scheduled to take place in Pakistan and Dubai. The selectors have decided to retain the majority of the squad that represented India during the 2023 ODI World Cup barring Mohammed Siraj who has been dropped citing his ineffectiveness when the ball gets old. Other than Siraj the only major absentee from the squad is Suryakumar Yadav who had a very minimal chance of making it to the ODI squad given the first-choice players were fit and available.
The Opportunity
If we talk about the fresh faces in the squad, left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal who has had a stellar start to his Test career with double centuries against England and a 150-plus score against Australia finds a place in the ODI setup for the first time. Yashasvi is expected to fulfill the role of a backup opener with Rohit Sharma who continues to lead the side along with Shubman Gill who has been appointed as Rohit’s deputy opening the batting for India while Virat Kohli retains his place at number three and will be supported by Shreyas Iyer who will look to continue the good form which he was in during the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The Return
Amidst all the speculation about KL Rahu’s spot in the team, the wicketkeeper has been able to retain his position along with Rishabh Pant who returns to the ODI squad after a gap of almost two and a half years. On the bowling front, the selectors have gone with four spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav three of whom are genuine all-rounders.
The Concern
As far as India’s fast bowling contingent is concerned the Rohit Sharma-led side has decided to pick only three fast bowlers Jasprit Bunrah, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh with Hardik Pandya being the only fast bowling all-rounder in the squad while Harshit Rana has been added to the squad as Bumrah’s cover due to the uncertainty over his fitness.
India’s squad for Champions Trophy and England ODIs
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana (Bumrah’s back-up).