Explained: Why India Requested ICC delay the squad announcement for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The much-awaited announcement for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is likely to be delayed. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to give some more time to announce the provisional squad. Notably, the deadline for all teams to submit their provisional squad for the upcoming mega event is January 12.

However, some media reports confirmed that the Indian board is in jeopardy with a few headaches for selection. India are scheduled to host England for five T20Is and three ODIs between January 22 and February 12. After this series, they will fly to the UAE, where they will play their matches in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Notably, India's refusal to travel to Pakistan forced the ICC to adapt the hybrid model, where India will be playing their matches at a neutral venue. But the squad for the mega event will be delayed by the coming week.

Here's how the Indian board asked the ICC to delay the squad announcement for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Earlier, the squad announcement was scheduled to be revealed on Sunday. However, as reported by Cricbuzz, the Indian board needs a bit more time as they have approached the ICC for this. This has certainly raised some questions on why more time is needed. This decision has been made after looking at some possible outcomes, which we will try to talk about here.

Team India want to be fully prepared and cover all the bases before the mega event. But the biggest reason for the delay can be the fitness of ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah. He has been nursing a back injury and has consulted a specialist in New Zealand. India want to be clear about his availability, but if he misses the tournament, it will be a massive setback for Rohit Sharma and his men.

The Indian board is in talks with the orthopedic doctor directly to assess the conditions. Some media agencies have reported that the final decision on Bumrah's availability will be taken after reviewing his scan reports, which are likely to be available in the coming days. That is the prime reason behind the delay in the squad announcement.

Meanwhile, India have some other headaches related to other players. There is a race between Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel for the spin all-rounder role. Yashavi Jaiswals is likely to be included, and then the case of Mohammed Shami. Is he fit or not? However, it will be pretty in the coming week that who will be getting a chance to feature in the mega event for the team.

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