The ICC Champions Trophy is set to make its much-anticipated return after an eight-year hiatus, commencing on February 19, 2025, with matches hosted in Pakistan and the UAE (for India's fixtures). India, known for its remarkable consistency and dominance on the global stage, enters the tournament as one of the strongest contenders, ready to stake its claim in this ultimate test of cricketing excellence. But the recently released Indian squad for the forthcoming tournament has sparked a lot of talk and discussion amongst the game's followers.

Though it had its own set of positives, some aspects could hinder their chances to scalp their second title of the tournament. Keeping in mind the team's recent performances post their triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup has been alarming for their future performances. Here, we look at the three factors that could not lead India to a victorious 2025 Champions Trophy run.

India 15-man squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana (Reserve)

Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar Arrive Late for Press Conference 

On Sunday, Rohit Sharma, who leads the India team, and Ajit Agarkar, who picks the players, were late over two hours to press conference for champions trophy squad announcement  in Mumbai. They were supposed to tell us who's going to play in the important games against England and the very popular Champions Trophy in 2025. But  they were so late, we were all waiting and extremely eager to hear what they would say!

As the two finally took their seats and adjusted their microphones, an intersting off the record moment between Rohit and Agarkar caught attention. In a hushed tone, Rohit was overheard sharing his concerns about the new guidelines introduced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding players’ families traveling with them. A video of the candid exchange quickly went viral on social media, with Rohit’s casual yet relatable comment sparking widespread interest. In his typical laid-back manner, Rohit leaned toward Agarkar and remarked, “I will have to sit (with the BCCI officials) for one or one and a half hours after this. Will have to sit with the secretary to discuss regarding all this family and all, all are saying to me.”

💀💀 pic.twitter.com/4nn17QKemt

— Priyanshu (@cricketwalaldka) January 18, 2025

The genuine comment showcased the human side of the captain, who is not only balancing on-field responsibilities but also managing concerns raised by his teammates about their families. The moment resonated with fans, reflecting the unique pressures cricketers face beyond the boundary. The delay and Rohit’s remarks added a touch of drama to the otherwise straightforward press conference. Once proceedings began, the focus shifted to cricket, with Agarkar and Rohit answering questions about team selections, strategies, and the road ahead. However, the viral snippet of their press conference conversation ensured that the day’s buzz extended beyond cricketing decisions. Fans on social media appreciated Rohit’s honesty and straight forwardness , with many praising him for addressing off-field concerns in his calm and composed manner. The moment served as a reminder of the captain’s role in bridging the gap between the team and the board, proving that leadership often extends beyond just the game.

ALSO READ: Reason behind dropping Mohammed Siraj from ODI squad revealed

Vice-Captain and Wicketkeeper Choices:  Discussions Behind the Scenes

There was a major discussion before press conference discussing who gets to be the vice captian for the team . They spoke a lot about the important choices they had to make. Gautam Gambhir really wants Hardik Pandya to be the assistant captain because he has captaincy skills and experience over the years  and might help the new young ones play better. But Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma think Shubman Gill should get the job because he is very good at playing and he could be a great leader later on.

Another point of contention was the selection of the team’s wicketkeeper. Gambhir pushed for the inclusion of Sanju Samson, arguing that he has technique and temperament make him a reliable choice. On the other hand, Agarkar and Rohit leaned towards Rishabh Pant, praising his explosiveness and match winning capabilities. These differing viewpoints highlighted the challenges of selecting a balanced team while accommodating diverse perspectives. While the final decisions were not disclosed during the conference, the intense discussions underscored the importance of finding the right combination for upcoming tournaments.

India squad for champions trophy:

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.

BCCI Introduces New Disciplinary Guidelines After Australia's Test Series Setback

The people who are in charge of cricket in India got together because our cricket team didn't do so well against Australia. We only won 1 game and lost 3. It was for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. These major leaders made up 10 rules to help the players do better. They want everybody on the team to be friendly, follow the rules, and play very good.

The meeting, which led to the formation of these guidelines, was attended by key stakeholders, including captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, and BCCI president Roger Binny. The board emphasized that the aim of these measures is to foster professionalism, operational efficiency, and a cohesive team environment.

These are really strict guidelines and a welcome change. The superstar culture has to change and the focus should be performance and winning games. Point 7 is really good. #BCCI #IndianCricketTeam pic.twitter.com/gh7jPIrtbe

— C O N F U J I T (@SurajitTweet) January 17, 2025

Key Guidelines for Players

1. Mandatory Domestic Participation
   Players must participate in domestic matches to remain eligible for selection in the national team and for central contracts. This measure ensures players stay connected with the domestic cricket ecosystem, maintain match fitness, and contribute to talent development. Exceptions will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances with formal approval from the Chairman of the Selection Committee.

2. Team Travel and Logistics
   All players are required to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions. Separate travel arrangements, including those with family members, are discouraged to maintain team cohesion and discipline. Exceptions must be pre-approved by the Head Coach and the Chairman of the Selection Committee.

3. Baggage Regulations
   Strict limits on baggage have been introduced to streamline logistics and avoid unnecessary expenses. Players are permitted specific baggage allowances depending on the tour duration:
   Long Tours (>30 days): Three pieces, including two suitcases and one kit bag, or up to 150 kg.
   Short Tours: Two pieces, including one suitcase and one kit bag, or up to 120 kg.

ALSO READ: Pakistan Announces XI for 1st Test Against West Indies in Multan

4. Restriction on Personal Staff
   Personal staff such as managers, chefs, assistants, and security personnel are restricted on tours unless explicitly approved by the BCCI. This measure ensures focus on team operations and minimizes logistical challenges.

5. Dispatch of Equipment to Centre of Excellence
   Players must coordinate with team management regarding the dispatch of equipment and personal items to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Any additional costs incurred due to separate arrangements will be the responsibility of the player.

6.Mandatory Attendance at Practice Sessions
   Players are required to attend all scheduled practice sessions in full and travel with the team to and from the venue. This policy aims to ensure discipline and effective preparation.

7. Restrictions on Personal Shoots and Endorsements
   Players are prohibited from participating in personal shoots or endorsements during an ongoing series or tour. This prevents distractions and ensures complete focus on cricket and team responsibilities.

8. Family Travel Policy
   The BCCI has established a balanced family travel policy to support players' personal well-being while prioritizing team commitments:
   1. For overseas tours exceeding 45 days, players’ families (partners and children under 18) may visit once per series for up to two weeks.
   2. Shared accommodation costs during the designated visitors' period will be covered by the BCCI, but all other expenses will be borne by the player.
   3.Family visits must be scheduled with approval from the Coach, Captain, and GM Operations.

9. Participation in Official BCCI Engagements
   Players are required to attend BCCI’s official promotional activities, shoots, and functions, which are critical for fulfilling commitments to stakeholders and promoting the game.

10. Completion of Tours
    Players must remain with the team until the scheduled end of the series or tour, even if matches conclude earlier than expected. This rule ensures team unity and avoids disruptions to team dynamics.

Objectives and Implications

The BCCI’s guidelines are designed to address issues observed during recent tours, including logistical inefficiencies, lack of discipline, and distractions. The measures aim to:
1. Strengthen the domestic cricket structure.
2. Enhance team bonding and professionalism.
3. Promote operational efficiency during tours and series.

BCCI made some new rules. They want all the players on the Indian team to be nicer to each other and do a good job together. This is a new direction the BCCI is trying to make things better and help people play great cricket. They think that by making players play more in India and making fully sure everyone is doing their job well, the team will do better.

Also, they want to make sure that the Indian cricket team remembers what truly matters about cricket. This is of major importance because they want the team to follow the rules and focus on playing their best.

Former Saurashtra captain and batter Sitanshu Kotak will join Team India's setup as batting coach. Kotak will start his stint with the five-match T20I Series against England which starts from January 22.

Kotak, who retired in 2013 after playing first-class cricket for over 20 years, has been working as a batting coach at the National Cricket Academy since 2019. Kotak has served as the head coach of India A on several tours. He has served as an assistant coach to VVS Laxman when VVS Laxman himself served as the head coach for India's bilateral series in last few years.

Kotak will be the 5th assistant coach in the coaching staff led by Gautam Gambhir who took charge in August. Gautam Gambhir brought three assistant coaches that time former South African Pacer Morne Morkel (bowling coach), along with former India allrounder Abhishek Nayar and former Netherlands captain Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coaches. T Dilip, who was the fielding coach during Rahul Dravid's tenure, was retained.

See Also:- New BCCI Rules: Limited Family Time and Personal Staff Banned for Players

It was decided after BCCI's review meeting which was conducted in Mumbai last week to assess India's disastrous run of series defeats starting with the white-ball loss in Sri Lanka, followed by a whitewash against New Zealand at home and then a 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Poor performance from the Indian batters was the main reason behind these defeats and also the Test side missing out on a World Test Championship Final berth. Batting was reportedly a key topic in the review meeting, which included Gambhir, selection committee head Ajit Agarkar, and several top BCCI officials, including the newly appointed board secretary, Devajit Saikia.

BCCI Implements Stricter Rules for Players on Overseas Tours

 The major group in charge of cricket there, called BCCI, made new rules for the cricket players when they go to play games in other places. Players can't bring people such as their cooks or hair-cutters, or even bodyguards with them anymore. And their families can't stay with them for too long either. Just before things became very difficult because of COVID, family members can only stay for two weeks if the trip is really long, such as more than 45 days. But if it's a short trip, they can only stay for one week. There's a head coach Gautam Gambhir, who thinks that being strict and tight as a team is vitally important. Mister Gambhir's on board with these changes. Apparently, he's worried about everyone acting professional and good when it comes to cricket activities. Mister Gambhir was a major part of why these new rules are happening. But by no means did he do this all on his own, it was a decision by everyone important at BCCI. Everyone's been discussing it a lot!

The Indian cricket team’s recent losses to New Zealand and Australia, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, have added urgency to these changes. Gambhir attributed the defeats, including the disappointing loss of the Border-Gavaskar series, to a lack of discipline in the dressing room. Sources suggest he is determined to instill stricter guidelines to avoid similar setbacks in the future. A meeting between Gambhir and a senior BCCI official is expected to take place during the first T20I against England in Kolkata. The discussions will likely address the controversies surrounding the team and strategize on implementing the new rules effectively.

ALSO READ: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Complete Ticket Price Details for Matches in Pakistan

The Board of Control for Cricket in India decided to curb family time for the Indian players on international tours.

Report says that the suggestion to curb family time for the Indian team has come from none other than the head coach himself.
sources said that Gambhir wants to… pic.twitter.com/PO063YE8dA

— kumar (@KumarlLamani) January 16, 2025

BCCI Introduces Tougher Rules to Strengthen Team Unity and Address Recent Setbacks

Reports from the Australia tour (November 2024 to January 2025) highlighted a lack of team bonding. Sources revealed that players, both senior and junior, dined together as a group only once during the entire tour. Gambhir believes fostering camaraderie is crucial, especially for younger players, and has urged the team management to adopt a firmer stance.

BCCI's Proposed Guidelines for Players and Tours

While the BCCI and Rohit Sharma is the head of the Indian cricket team, but they didn't win against New Zealand and Australia. This made people think we need to be quicker to fix things. Gambhir said that the team didn't follow rules well, and that's a major reason they lost games, particularly the one where they really hoped to win against Australia.

He really wants everybody to listen better to rules so they don't make a big mistake again. Actually, Gambhir is going to sit and speak with an important person from BCCI when the first T20I game with England happens in Kolkata. They are probably going to converse about the trouble the team got into and have a smart thought to make new rules work very nicely.

Every rumor easily goes viral on social media. Meanwhile, a video has gone viral on Twitter in which a journalist standing outside a moving car and calling the name of the Indian head coach, Gambhir Gambhir.

He is saying, “Gambhir, Gambhir please I have standing here since 8 O’clock from the morning, Indian cricket needs, Gambhir please”.

The video is from Republic TV Channel and has been shared by a Twitter user.

Arey I cropped the best part by mistake. pic.twitter.com/28uo8rzrFl

— Guru Gulab (@madaddie24) January 16, 2025

What does the video signify?

As there is no such date clarification on the video, when was this video made, this video is raising the question in the minds of people why Gambhir kept going after listening to the journalist and did not stop even once.

Also Read: Lucky to Play Under Rohit Bhai: Akash Deep Hails Rohit Sharma's Leadership

It was heard in the video that the journalist said, "Indian cricket needs you", here's what it could mean. And why Gambhir did not listen to the journalist. 

The question also arises whether was it Gautam Gambhir or the video was made for some fun purposes, but after seeing the authenticity of the video, it can be said that there was Gautam Gambhir in the car.

During the recently concluded India tour of Australia, the Indian cricket team dressing room was tense for various internal reasons. Now, the new reports claim that the head coach Gautam Gambhir scolded the bowling coach Morne Morkel for coming late to the ground. 

The Australia tour was the first key foreign tour for India under the new coaching team, including Gautam Gambhir and Morne Morkel. Although India started the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, a five-match Test series in Australia, with a historic victory by 295 runs in Perth, India lost the Test series by a 3-1 margin. It was the first time in the last eight years that India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

With the downfall of the Indian team in that Australia tour, the Indian team dressing room seemed broken to the cricket fans. Captain Rohit Sharma even decided to drop himself for the last Test of the series due to poor form. Although he clarified his stance just for the sake of the team in the Test series and everything was ok inside the dressing room, the tense situation is still on.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently held a meeting between the officials, head coach, captain, and chief selector to discuss the underperformance in the Australia tour.

See Also: Indian cricketer-wife guideline likely to be changed from the next foreign tour

Gautam Gambhir scolded Morne Morkel

According to a new report, during the Australia tour, head coach Gambhir scolded the bowling coach Morkel for coming late to the ground in a training session due to attending a personal meeting. The board is reportedly looking at the incident and trying to bring a resolution to avoid these in the future. 

It is not the first time Gambhir and Morkel have been working together. They previously worked together for the IPL team Lucknow Super Giants, and Gambhir reportedly suggested Morkel's name as the bowling coach for the Indian team. However, Gambhir is always known for his strict discipline. 

Coaches are also under scrutiny

Apart from the senior cricketers, the coaching teams are also under scrutiny, especially the batting coach Abhishek Nayar. In the entire Australia tour, the Indian batters couldn’t showcase their improvements, which played a huge role in the Test series defeat.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been left out of India's 15-man T20I squad for the upcoming series against England. The opener, who has a fantastic record in the few opportunities he's had, isn't even on the sidelines right now but rather as far away from the action as possible. Gaikwad is one such batter who has earned fame after relentless hard work in a platform like IPL.

This led him being the right successor of MS Dhoni by being the captain of the five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings. It's not just this forthcoming bilateral series; he has been excluded in many crucial International matches. That said, here we look at the probable reasons behind the talk of the matter that perplexed many fans. 

1. Intense race for the coveted top-order batting spots

There is no question that Ruturaj Gaikwad is a superb player, but he is now competing with more than five other players for the opening berth, which Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson currently hold. The latter two don't play T20Is often since the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prefers Test cricket to the shorter format. Hence, they've been rested from T20Is to manage their workloads. The names Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhishek Sharma, and Sanju Samson make it highly competitive for the Maharashtrian batter, as each has a unique skill set that will aid the squad significantly.

Another significant factor is his potential and natural game. One can argue that Gaikwad is the most skilled striker among those named, especially considering that it's the shortest game format. He looks more like an anchor than an aggressor. All of the others can start smashing right away, something Gaikwad has yet to do, where he takes his time to get to his swashbuckling form. Even age is also a consideration, as Sanju Samson is the only one older than him. All the others are younger, and selectors may choose them over him. Ultimately, it's all about the proper set of permutations and combinations made in the think tank of the Indian Cricket team's selection process.

See Also: BCCI Considers Performance-Linked Pay for Players After Australia Series Setback

2. Probable selection bias and internal politics

Stirring up controversies and debates, particularly amongst Indian cricket fanatics, is not a relatively new thing. Ever since the sport's evolution, a particular sect of spectators has become more inclined and invested in the goof-ups and stories than the usual game itself. With several incidents prominently and vividly remembered by many, Ruturaj Gaikwad's long-run exclusion from the international team acts as an addition to the list of such a story. Though his gameplay doesn't match the fast-paced T20I format, leading him to be ignored for the forthcoming bilateral series against England, Gaikwad has encountered such moments for quite a long time.

Be it from not getting selected for the forgettable and recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy or even the home bilateralT20I series against Bangladesh, his name not being present on the 15-man Squad for International games has got everyone perplexed. Many speculate that it's due to internal board politics, with head coach Gautam Gambhir having a bias on player selection towards his former franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, over his arch-rival team, Chennai Super Kings, where Gaikwad comes from. And it's just one of them; other reasons come from where he had a rift with the former T20I captain, Rohit Sharma, which led him to get ignored for a long period. In the end, these speculated theories keep on coming and going. Unless and until any of these have a concrete backing, that is when the eyes would be facing them. 

No matter what the reasons are, as mentioned above, it is no surprise that Ruturaj Gaikwad has been phenomenal with the bat through his recent performances. With his noteworthy mentions coming from the IPL, Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, Gaikwad has got all the boxes ticked to get a callback to don the Indian jersey.

Though some of the aspects do have their own viability and sense, it's all about time that will tell the competent batter's future in the International circuit. Also, the whole Indian cricket fandom would suffice with the things that are beneficial for the team and its prospects, with Ruturaj Gaikwad being one of the probable central pillars towards their path, as many yearn for him not to be another missed out competent opportunity. 

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik feels that the present Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir is under pressure in his early days due to recent negative results. Karthik talked about how the head coach can settle the situation. 

Gautam Gambhir, the former national teammate of Dinesh Karthik, has taken the coaching challenge of the Indian team after their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 trophy win under the coaching of Rahul Dravid. 

See Also: Bumrah to Miss Champions Trophy Group Stage? Selectors Await Fitness Updates

It's never easy to fill those shoes: Dinesh Karthik on coach Rahul Dravid replacement

Although the Gambhir-coaching Indian team won the home Test series against Bangladesh comfortably by 2-0 after a successful T20I series whitewash (3-0) and losing an ODI series in the Sri Lanka tour (2-0), they faced a historic whitewash defeat in the home Test against New Zealand (by 3-0) and also lost the five-match Test series Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia by 3-1. The team selections and batters’ performances in the recent Test series have been criticised heavily.

Recently, Dinesh Karthik talked about Gambhir’s coaching. He told Cricbuzz, "The Bangladesh series was a success, and I think post that, things have gone downhill for him in Tests."

While the early situation is very tough for Gambhir and Team India, Karthik believes that the former Indian opener needs some time, as it was never easy to replace the successful coach Rahul Dravid. 

Karthik said, "You've got to give Gambhir some slack. He has come in at a very tough time post the successful regime of Rahul Dravid. It's never easy to fill those shoes.” 

Karthik also pointed out that while coach Gambhir had a rough start in the ODI and Test formats, the ODI format was too small, as India played only three ODIs in 2024. Meanwhile, under his coaching, Team India impressed in the T20I format, both against the hosts Sri Lanka and the visitors Bangladesh. Karthik praises Gambhir for guiding the youngsters in the shorter format.

The pressure is mounting

Talking about Gambhir’s impact as the coach, Karthik feels that the correlation between the coach's vision and the players' mindset is important to build up a strong team. While Karthik also understands the limited opportunities for a coach during a match, he needs to work in the proper manner to make the dressing room positive. 

Karthik finished with, "The pressure is mounting. All he can do is give them freedom, give them the security they want in the dressing room, and try to keep a very nice and safe even sort of place there. But when the player walks out, he has to find a way to counter his demons and the opposition's questions."

Recently, Gautam Gambhir has been at the center of a heated controversy after former cricketer Manoj Tiwary made strong remarks about his leadership and public image. In the wake of these comments, several players have come forward to show their support for Gambhir, with Nitish Rana being one of the first to defend him. Following this, Harshit Rana, another member of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad under Gambhir's coaching in IPL 2024, also stepped up to express his support.

Read Also: Manoj Tiwary Slams Gautam Gambhir: Calls Him a Hypocrite and Questions His Leadership

Harshit, who played under Gambhir’s coaching during last year's IPL and the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, took to social media to back the former cricketer. He shared his thoughts by uploading an Instagram story in which he addressed the criticism, emphasizing that criticizing someone due to personal insecurities was unfair and wrong. Harshit highlighted Gambhir's selfless leadership and the support he consistently provided to his players, especially during tough times, and always gave them the limelight when things were going well.

Harshit highlighted Gambhir’s selfless leadership, noting how he always focused on the players' well-being and their success on the field. Harshit added that Gambhir consistently supported his players, especially when they were going through tough times, and always gave them the limelight when things were going well. He further expressed that Gambhir had immense knowledge of how to turn games in favor of the team, demonstrating strategic brilliance as a coach.

Nitish Rana, another former KKR player, also expressed his support for Gambhir, defending him against the criticism. He took to Twitter, suggesting that Tiwary’s comments were rooted in personal insecurities and reaffirmed Gambhir’s qualities as a selfless and effective leader. Rana highlighted Gambhir’s consistent ability to motivate and support his players, reinforcing the idea that Gambhir’s leadership was both genuine and impactful.

Criticism should be based on facts not personal insecurities. Gauti bhaiyya is one of the most selfless players I’ve ever met. He shoulders responsibility in times of distress like no other. Performance doesn’t need any PR. The trophies speak for themselves.

— Nitish Rana (@NitishRana_27) January 9, 2025

The controversy began when Manoj Tiwary criticized Gambhir for allegedly taking all the credit for KKR’s 2012 IPL win. Tiwary suggested that Gambhir’s public image overshadowed the contributions of other key players, including himself, Jacques Kallis, and Sunil Narine. He also raised concerns about Gambhir’s leadership during his coaching tenure with the Indian team. Tiwary’s comments, which gained attention after being aired in a viral interview, sparked a wave of debate in the cricketing community.