REPORTS: Gautam Gambhir wanted Hardik Pandya as the vice-captain in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Shubman Gill replaced Hardik Pandya as the vice-captain of Indian team in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.

REPORTS: Gautam Gambhir wanted Hardik Pandya as the vice-captain in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Hardik Pandya, Gautam Gambhir (Via BCCI/X)

There have been reports of rifts within the Indian dressing room since the time India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia by a margin of 3-1. Recently, the BCCI have announced the Indian squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.

The BCCI held a long meeting about the team composition and also regarding various rules and regulations before announcing the squad for the tournament. They have announced Shubman Gill as the vice-captain of the team in the Champions Trophy. Hardik Pandya was the vice-captain of the squad in the ODI World Cup 2023 and the T20 World Cup 2024.

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However, new reports from Dainik Jagran have emerged that head coach Gautam Gambhir wanted to stick to Pandya as the vice-captain of the team. On the other hand, captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar wanted Gill as the vice-captain of the team. So, there was a difference in opinion between the parties.

The head coach also wanted Sanju Samson in the squad. However, the captain and the chief selector wanted Rishabh Pant in the squad. In the end, Pant was chosen in the squad in place of the Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman.

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Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has stated that Jasprit Bumrah won’t be fit for first two ODIs against England

Jasprit Bumrah suffered a back spasm in the fifth Test match against Australia in Sydney and went for scans. Later, he was not able to bowl in the second inning of the match, which ultimately cost the match for his team. However, the big doubt was whether he would be part of the squad for the Champions Trophy.

Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah (Via X)

Bumrah has been included in the squad for the tournament but won’t be part of the first two ODIs of the home series against England. He will feature in the third ODI to test his match fitness.

Bumrah has been told to off-load for five weeks after and he won’t be available for the first two ODIs against England. We are waiting on his fitness and will know his status in early February from the medical team.

Ajit Agarkar said during press conference
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India will need to sort out all the differences within their team in order to succeed in the Champions Trophy. They qualified for the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 without losing any game but lost the final against Australia. However, they became the T20 World Cup 2024 champions without losing any game in the tournament.