ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Shreyas Iyer has earned his spot in the India ODI squad

As the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy approaches, speculation around the final 15-player squad for Team India has reached a fever pitch. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to officially announce the squad, the conversation around who will make the cut is dominating cricket circles. India boasts a pool of highly talented players, all of whom are performing exceptionally well in both domestic and international cricket, making the selection process highly competitive. Several players have been consistently putting up impressive performances, with some staking a strong claim for a spot in the squad. With players like Shubman Gill, who has been in superb form, and the all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been a key player for India, it’s tough to predict who will get the nod.

Shreyas Iyer deserves a spot in the India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Meanwhile, established players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, who have vast experience in ICC events, will also play crucial roles in the selection process. The upcoming few months are expected to see intense competition for spots, especially with key domestic tournaments like the IPL and Ranji Trophy still to be played. While it is clear that India has a wealth of talent to choose from, finalizing the squad will be no easy task for the selectors, as they look to find the right balance of experience, form, and versatility for a successful Champions Trophy campaign. The race for those coveted spots is on, and every performance counts.

KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are two key players who have been firmly in the spotlight as Team India looks ahead to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Both were integral members of the squad during the 2023 World Cup, where they played pivotal roles in stabilizing the middle order. Despite India’s heartbreaking loss to Australia in the final, Rahul and Iyer’s performances stood out as some of the best in the tournament.

Iyer, in particular, made his presence felt with his consistent batting and ability to anchor the innings when needed, while Rahul’s versatility and calmness under pressure were crucial to India’s success throughout the tournament. Both players were central to India’s journey to the final and are now looking to maintain that form as they eye a spot in the Champions Trophy squad.

In a recent interaction, Iyer expressed his readiness and flexibility to bat at any position in the batting order, showcasing his adaptability and commitment to the team. This is a significant factor as selectors look to balance the squad for the upcoming tournament. Iyer and Rahul, both highly experienced and in good form, are expected to continue being crucial cogs in the middle order. With the Champions Trophy around the corner, their form and ability to adapt to different roles could play a decisive role in their inclusion.

“I'm flexible and ready to bat anywhere in the batting order. KL (Rahul) and I, we played that important role in the middle during the World Cup. We had a great season together. It was just the last bit (the final against Australia) that we couldn't execute the way we wanted to. It will be a proud moment for me if I were to be picked in the Champions Trophy (squad) to represent the country,” said Shreyas Iyer in a recent interview. 

Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul were two of the standout performers for India in the 2023 ICC World Cup, finishing as the third and fourth-highest run-scorers for the team. Iyer accumulated an impressive 530 runs from 11 matches at an average of 66.25, while Rahul scored 452 runs at an equally remarkable average of 75.33. Their contributions were vital in anchoring India's middle order throughout the tournament, which saw them reach the final, though they ultimately fell short against Australia.

Both players have solidified their place as two of India’s most consistent performers in the 50-over format, with their remarkable ability to play under pressure making them key assets for the team. Iyer, with an ODI average of 47.47, has been one of India’s most reliable middle-order batsmen in recent years, often playing crucial knocks when the team needs stability. Rahul, with an average of 49.15 in ODIs, has also demonstrated great versatility, excelling as both an opener and in the middle order.

Their consistency and ability to adapt to different batting positions have made them indispensable to the Indian lineup. As the team looks ahead to future international tournaments, including the Champions Trophy, Iyer and Rahul's stellar records in ODIs make them essential to India's plans. Their experience and form will be key to India’s success going forward.