India announced their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with Rohit Sharma as captain and Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami leading the pace attack. Shubman Gill will be vice-captain. Bumrah, previously doubtful due to injury, is fit for the tournament, while Shami returns after a break. New faces include Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, making his debut in the ODI squad. Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are expected to be the wicketkeepers, and spinners include Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel.   India's squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja.                          

Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is expected to join India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, pending fitness confirmation. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will finalize the squad on January 18 in Mumbai. Bumrah, recovering from a back injury, might play in the ODI series against England for fitness assessment. Despite stellar form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Karun Nair has been excluded due to lack of recent international exposure. Sanju Samson, part of the T20I squad, also misses out, reportedly for skipping domestic tournaments. India aims to finalize its lineup for the crucial tournament.

The BCCI has introduced new rules to maintain discipline and unity within the Indian cricket team during international tours. Head coach Gautam Gambhir raised concerns over cricketers bringing personal staff, including chefs and security, on the Australian tour. In response, the BCCI has implemented a set of guidelines restricting players from bringing personal staff, limiting family visits to two weeks, and ensuring all players travel with the team. These measures aim to prioritize focus on the game and eliminate distractions such as advertisements and extended family stays, ensuring better team cohesion.

The BCCI has issued strict guidelines for India’s centrally-contracted cricketers, making participation in domestic tournaments mandatory for selection. Family stays during tours are restricted to 14 days on trips exceeding 45 days, while endorsement shoots are banned during series to avoid distractions. Players must travel using team buses, attend full practice sessions, and remain with the team until tour completion. Violators may face disciplinary actions, including IPL bans and deductions in match fees. The policy aims to enhance discipline, cohesion, and focus. Senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are yet to confirm domestic cricket participation.

India's 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign faced internal turmoil as head coach Gautam Gambhir accused Sarfaraz Khan of leaking sensitive dressing room conversations. Gambhir made the claim during a review meeting with BCCI officials, attended by captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Reports suggest Gambhir confronted the players after their loss in the fourth Test and criticized Rishabh Pant for his shot selection. Gambhir emphasized keeping team discussions confidential, as media leaks sparked mockery from former Australian players. Sarfaraz, who didn’t feature in the series, was reportedly named as the source of the leaks.

KL Rahul and Sanju Samson are reportedly out of contention for India's Champions Trophy squad. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to prefer Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel as keepers. Samson's absence from the Vijay Hazare Trophy camp led to his exclusion from Kerala's squad, further diminishing his chances. Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan, despite his ODI achievements, faces uncertainty due to limited domestic participation. Jurel, gaining attention with strong performances, is now positioned as Pant's understudy. Samson remains a key T20 player but is unlikely to feature in the Champions Trophy squad.

Jasprit Bumrah, India's vice-captain, dismissed rumors about his fitness, stating reports of bed rest are "unreliable." Bumrah had sustained a back issue during the fifth Test against Australia, where he didn’t bowl in the second innings. While sources suggested he might miss the Champions Trophy's league stage, Bumrah clarified the misinformation on X. A final update from the BCCI is awaited as the pacer remains pivotal for India’s campaign. The Champions Trophy squad will be announced on January 19. Bumrah had a historic performance in Australia, taking 32 wickets and leading India to their only Test win in Perth.

India set a new record in women's ODI cricket, posting their highest-ever total of 435 against Ireland in Rajkot on January 15, 2025. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal were the stars, each scoring a century. Mandhana's 135 off 80 balls was the fastest by an Indian in women's ODIs, while Rawal scored a stunning 154 off 129 balls. This marked India's third-highest partnership in women's ODIs with 233 runs between the openers. India became the third team to surpass 400 runs in a women's ODI, following New Zealand and Australia.

The BCCI summoned Test captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar to address India's disappointing Test performance. In the meeting, IPL salaries were cited as a possible factor, with some players allegedly prioritizing T20 cricket over Tests. As a corrective measure, new protocols have been introduced, limiting players' family time and independent commutes during tours. Families can accompany players for 14 days on longer tours and 7 days on shorter ones. These measures aim to refocus the team's commitment to Test cricket as India navigates this challenging phase.

The BCCI will review Gautam Gambhir’s position as India’s head coach after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Since Gambhir took over, India has struggled, losing six of 10 Tests and an ODI series in Sri Lanka. Reports suggest a rift between Gambhir and senior players over his efforts to end the “superstar culture.” Some players have criticized his communication style, while Gambhir has expressed concerns about player demands. The national selectors also raised issues over his involvement in team decisions. If India performs poorly in the Champions Trophy, Gambhir’s future as coach may be uncertain.