BCCI Rest Kohli Bumrah Rohit: The Champions Trophy is set to make its return to international cricket in 2025 after an eight-year hiatus. The last edition was held in 2017 when Pakistan triumphed over India in the final. The upcoming tournament is scheduled to start on February 19, 2025, in Pakistan. As a lead-up to this major event, India will play just six ODIs—three against Sri Lanka next month and three at home against England between February 6 and 12.
The Need for a Full-Strength Squad: BCCI Rest Kohli Bumrah Rohit
Given the limited number of ODIs before the Champions Trophy, it would be logical for India to field their full-strength squad in both the series against Sri Lanka and England. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Tuesday that Gautam Gambhir will be the new head coach for the Indian team. His first assignment will be the Sri Lanka tour, and his initial major task will be to reclaim the Champions Trophy, which India last won 12 years ago. For Gambhir to gain the best perspective and prepare adequately for the ICC tournament, having his top three players—Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rohit Sharma—play all six matches is crucial.
Balancing Workloads with Test Commitments
In addition to their white-ball campaigns, India is scheduled to play 10 Test matches this year as part of their bid to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final for the third time. The schedule includes:
| Series | Dates | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Test Series vs. Bangladesh | Late September 2024 | 2 Tests |
| Test Series vs. New Zealand | October 16 – October 28, 2024 | 3 Tests |
| Border-Gavaskar Trophy vs. Aus | November 22, 2024 – Early 2025 | 5 Tests |
With no red-ball fixtures until September 19, 2024, it would make sense for the BCCI to ensure the participation of Kohli, Bumrah, and Rohit in the ODI series against Sri Lanka to keep them in rhythm for the 50-over format.
Recent Playing History and Format Adjustment
Kohli and Rohit missed all the T20Is between the 2022 T20 World Cup and the end of 2023. They returned to action during the home series against Afghanistan, where Kohli played in two innings and Rohit appeared in all three matches. This series was India’s final T20I preparation for the World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. Despite the questions over their future in the T20 format, both players had the entire IPL 2024 season to adjust. However, Kohli, Rohit, and Bumrah don’t have that luxury in the ODI format.
Read also: Indian Cricket Team’s Sri Lanka Tour And Mayank Yadav Fitness Update
Conclusion: Sri Lanka ODI
The decision to rest or play key players such as Kohli, Bumrah, and Rohit is a delicate one. Given the context of limited ODI matches before the Champions Trophy and the absence of immediate Test cricket, it seems prudent for the BCCI to ensure these players are part of the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Their involvement would not only benefit the team’s preparation but also provide valuable match practice under the new head coach Gambhir’s guidance. Ultimately, making the right call now could significantly impact India’s performance in the Champions Trophy 2025.
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