2025 Champions Trophy: England have announced a 15-member ODI and T20I squad for the white-ball tour of India, scheduled to begin next month, as well as the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Notably, Test captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of both duties due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the third Test against New Zealand earlier this month.
England’s key highlights
– Ben Stokes absent: Stokes’ injury has ruled him out of the Champions Trophy and tour of India. The ECB confirmed he was not being considered for selection.
– team leader: Jos Buttler will lead England in ODIs and T20Is in India as well as the 2025 Champions Trophy.
– Joe Root’s comeback: After more than a year, Root was recalled to the ODI squad. He will feature in the ODI series and Champions Trophy series in India but will be absent from the T20I squad.
– Notable omissions: Sam Curran and Jonny Bairstow have been dropped from the ODI squad. Stokes’ absence further exacerbated England’s challenge.
Joe Root returns
Joe Root, who turns 34 later this month, will end 2024 as the world’s number one Test batsman. Although Root has excelled in the long format, his ODI form has dipped since England won the 2019 World Cup. He last appeared in white-ball cricket during England’s early exit from the ICC World Cup 2023, scoring 276 runs at an average of 30.66. His recall under head coach Brendan McCullum marks a renewed effort to strengthen the middle order.
England’s injury problems
Ben Stokes’ absence is a major blow given his ability with both bat and ball. His latest injury was sustained during England’s series against New Zealand, and the ECB’s official statement emphasized that he will not be available for the white-ball tour and the Champions Trophy.
England ODI squad for 2025 India tour and ICC Champions Trophy:
England: Jos Butler (centre), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brooke, Brendan Cass, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.
England T20I India tour line-up: Jos Buttler (centre), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brooke, Brendan Cass, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood
The tour of India will be a prelude to the 2025 Champions Trophy. Led by experienced players like Buttler, Root and Rashid, England will look to build a balanced squad capable of competing on the subcontinent’s pitches.