Champions Trophy 2025: Reports Of Rift Between Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir Emerge Over Team Selection

Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir was reportedly overruled on two significant decisions regarding the Champions Trophy 2025 squad selection, according to a report from Dainik Jagran.

The report mentioned that the disagreement led to a lengthy meeting between Gambhir, captain Rohit Sharma, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar before the team announcement.

Photo Credit: PTI

The report stated that Gambhir proposed Hardik Pandya as vice-captain, but both Rohit and Agarkar preferred Shubman Gill for the role.

Another point of contention was the wicketkeeper position, as Gambhir favoured including Sanju Samson, but ultimately Rishabh Pant was chosen, with the backing of Rohit and Agarkar.

Meanwhile, chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced on Saturday that Jasprit Bumrah may not be fit for the first two ODIs against England, leading to the selection of Harshit Rana as a replacement while awaiting an update from the medical team regarding Bumrah's fitness.

Despite this, Bumrah was included in the squad for the Champions Trophy, which will follow the three-match ODI series against England.

"Bumrah has been told to off-load for five weeks, and he won't be available for the first two ODIs against England. We are waiting on his fitness and will know his status in early February from the medical team," Agarkar stated during a press conference, which he attended alongside India captain Rohit Sharma.

Bumrah had experienced a back spasm at the conclusion of the lengthy Border-Gavaskar Trophy and missed the second innings of the final Test in Sydney. He subsequently underwent scans.

"We'll probably hear more over the next week or so about his fitness. It would have been better if the BCCI had given the update... I might say the wrong thing here. I know he was asked to off-load from bowling for five weeks, which should be by early February, if I'm not mistaken," Agarkar said.

He added, "We'll probably find out more around that time. What exactly is the issue and regarding his medical condition, I'm sure the BCCI might release something from the physio itself."

After India's loss in the Brisbane Test, skipper Rohit had also sought clarification from the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru regarding Mohammed Shami's fitness status last month. Agarkar echoed this sentiment on Saturday.

"It's better it comes from the medical department rather than me explaining exactly what is wrong with him (Bumrah), but that's the timeline we've been given, and we are hopeful that he will be fine," he concluded.

The final squad for the Champions Trophy must be submitted to the ICC by February 11.

India will play three bilateral ODIs against England on February 6, 9, and 12 - their first 50-over games since the Sri Lanka tour in August last year - before the Champions Trophy begins on February 19.