File photo of Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar.© BCCI
Team India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series, as well as the Champions Trophy 2025, will be announced on January 18, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in an official statement. The BCCI on Friday announced that India captain Rohit Sharma and chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, will address a press conference in Mumbai on Saturday. The press conference will get underway at 12:30 PM after the squad announcement.
“The Men’s Selection Committee will select India’s squad for the IDFC First Bank ODI series against England and the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tomorrow in Mumbai. The Selection Meeting will be followed by a press conference, details of which are under,” the BCCI statement read.
While India captain Rohit’s future was uncertain, BCCI’s release more or less confirms that the veteran batter will be leading the team in the Champions Trophy.
Meanwhile, the BCCI on Thursday unveiled a 10-point policy to promote “discipline and unity”, making domestic cricket mandatory, imposing restriction on the presence of families and personal staff on tours and banning individual commercial endorsements during ongoing series.
It is learnt that the restrictions were sought by head coach Gautam Gambhir in a review meeting of the team’s recent poor run.
Non-compliance would invite sanctions, including cuts in the players’ retainer fee from central contracts and a bar on participating in the cash-rich Indian Premier League.
The measures have been announced in the wake of the team’s disastrous tour of Australia during which it surrendered the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade. The debacle was preceded by a series whitewash against a relatively under-strength New Zealand at home.
The 10 diktats make it mandatory for players to seek Gambhir and chairman of selectors’ Ajit Agarkar’s approval for any relaxation, including the duration of stay for their families on tour.
(With PTI Inputs)
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