Table of Contents
India’s premier cricketers – Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – are expected to miss the crucial home ODI series against England in February 2025. This series will be India’s final bilateral fixture before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which starts later that month.
Potential reason for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah’s absence in England ODIs
India’s calendar is packed ahead of the Champions Trophy. After the conclusion of five-match Test series with Australia, the team will host England for five T20Is starting January 22, followed by three ODIs from February 6 to February 12. These matches are critical for fine-tuning India’s squad, assessing combinations, and gaining momentum ahead of the mega event.
However, as reported by Sports Tak, Bumrah will sit out the T20I series, while all three players are expected to skip the ODI series. This marks a significant gap in match practice for Rohit and Kohli, who have retired from T20Is following the T20 World Cup 2024. Their absence may leave India’s ODI plans without their experienced top-order anchors and strike bowler.
The report suggested that Bumrah will be rested as part of workload management, while both Rohit and Kohli are likely to be on leave. This decision, if finalized, could impact India’s preparation for the marquee tournament, raising questions about the trio’s readiness for white-ball cricket after the extended Test series.
Also READ: Team India’s full schedule till IPL 2025: England series, Champions Trophy & More
Concerns around Kohli and Rohit’s form
Both Kohli and Rohit have been struggling for form in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 against Australia. Kohli has failed to convert starts into big scores, while Rohit has shown inconsistent performances at the top. The ODI series against England would have provided an ideal opportunity for the duo to regain form and confidence in limited-overs cricket. If they miss the series, Kohli and Rohit will face the challenge of transitioning directly from red-ball cricket to the intense white-ball contests of the Champions Trophy. This lack of match conditioning could potentially hinder their performance against top-quality opposition in a high-stakes tournament.
Champions Trophy 2025: India’s Path
The CT 2025 adopts a hybrid model, with India’s matches scheduled in Dubai. The tournament begins on February 19, with India kicking off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. A blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Pakistan is set for February 23, drawing global attention. India have been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh. Group B features powerhouses like Australia, England, South Africa and Afghanistan. Should India progress, the final will also be held in Dubai, providing a neutral venue for a potential showdown.
