Reports suggest that Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah will be absent from India's ODI squad for the upcoming home series against England. While Bumrah is set to miss both T20I and ODI matches due to workload management, Rohit and Virat, who retired from T20I cricket after winning the World Cup in June, will reportedly take a break after the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

The absence of these key players comes as a surprise, especially since the England series is the final opportunity to prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy, starting February 19 in Dubai and Karachi. Critics argue it’s unwise for Rohit and Virat, both out of form during the Australia tour, to skip this series as it’s important for them to regain rhythm before the tournament. On the other hand, Bumrah’s rest seems reasonable given his workload in recent months.

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The 2025 Champions Trophy, returning after seven years, will feature a hybrid model with India’s matches in Dubai. India begins their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by a high-stakes game against Pakistan on February 23. Group A includes India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B features Australia, England, Afghanistan, and South Africa. The semifinals and final are also scheduled in Dubai if India progresses.

Squad Adjustments in Their Absence

In the absence of these players, India will rely on the existing squad to step up. Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer are expected to play key roles. Shreyas Iyer will anchor the middle order, while Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul will take on wicketkeeping duties. Hardik Pandya will lead the all-rounders, with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar supporting in the spin department.

Bumrah’s absence also impacts India’s pace attack, with Mohammed Siraj set to lead the charge, supported by Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. The series will be a vital opportunity for the team to test its depth and finalize the ideal combination ahead of the Champions Trophy. As India prepares for this prestigious tournament, this series will be crucial in refining their squad and strategies.

INDIA VS ENGLAND, T20I SERIES SCHEDULE

• 1st T20I on Wednesday, January 22 in Kolkata
• 2nd T20I on Saturday, January 25 in Chennai
• 3rd T20I on Tuesday, January 28 in Rajkot
• 4th T20I on Friday, January 31 in Pune
• 5th T20I on Sunday, February 2 in Mumbai

INDIA VS ENGLAND, ODI SERIES SCHEDULE

• 1st ODI on Thursday, February 6 in Nagpur
• 2nd ODI on Sunday, February 9 in Cuttack
• 3rd ODI on Wednesday, February 12 in Ahmedabad