Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to miss ODI series vs England before ICC Champions Trophy, here’s WHY
The Indian selectors are going to take a big call ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in February next year. Team India are supposed to play in a limited-overs series against England which features five T20I games and three ODIs beginning on January 22 in Kolkata.
The ODI series between India and England will kick off on February 6. The three 50-over matches will be the last international preparation ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which will kick off February 19.
But according to a report on ‘Sports Tak’ website, the Indian selectors are getting ready to rest seniors cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah for the ODI series against 2019 ODI World Cup champions England. Rohit and Kohli have already retired from international T20 cricket earlier this year after the T20 World Cup 2024 but the selectors are planning to rest the three senior India cricketers keeping ‘workload management’ in mind.
Rohit and Kohli featured in just three ODI matches in 2024 – all against Sri Lanka – which India went on to lose 2-0 and one match ended in a tie.
NO KOHLI, ROHIT & BUMRAH IN ENGLAND ODI SERIES
– Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma & Jasprit Bumrah set to miss the ODI series against England. (Sports Tak). pic.twitter.com/ljD16RYEYD
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) December 31, 2024
With the Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon, it would be more practical for the batting duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to make themselves available for the three-match ODI series against England. The series would offer valuable preparation for the mega event. Currently, Rohit, Virat, and Bumrah are in Australia, participating in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). While the batting duo has struggled to find form, the Indian speedster has been carrying the side on his shoulders, claiming 30 wickets across four Test matches.
The Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19 and will follow a hybrid model. All India-centric matches, as well as the semifinals, will be held in Dubai. Should India reach the final, it too will take place in Dubai. India’s campaign will commence on February 20 against Bangladesh, followed by a high-stakes clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23.
The ICC has divided the participating teams into two groups. Group A consists of defending Champions Trophy holders and hosts Pakistan, along with India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. Group B includes 2023 Cricket World Cup champions Australia, Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.
As the Champions Trophy approaches, the ODI series against England could serve as an ideal platform for Rohit and Virat to regain their rhythm and for the team to fine-tune its preparations ahead of the highly anticipated tournament.