India vs Bangladesh: India’s Probable Playing XI for the First Match Against Bangladesh

Published On: February 19, 2025 2:19 pm

India’s Likely Playing XI Against Bangladesh in Champions Trophy 2025 Opener: Key Insights and Predictions

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to kick off with a high-stakes clash between India and Bangladesh on February 20 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With Jasprit Bumrah ruled out due to injury and a mix of seasoned stars and emerging talents in the squad, Team India’s playing XI for the opener has sparked intense speculation. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the probable lineup and the factors shaping Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir’s decisions.

India’s Squad Overview

India’s 15-member squad blends experience and youth, retaining the core of their 2023 ODI World Cup campaign while integrating fresh faces like Harshit Rana (replacing Bumrah) and Varun Chakaravarthy . Key players include:

Batters: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul.
All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar.
Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Predicted Playing XI for IND vs BAN

Based on recent form, team balance, and Dubai’s pitch conditions, here’s the likely lineup:

1. Openers: Rohit Sharma & Shubman Gill

Rohit Sharma: The captain, known for his explosive starts, will aim to dominate Bangladesh’s pace attack early.
Shubman Gill: Fresh off a Player of the Series performance against England (3 ODIs: 1 century, 2 fifties), Gill’s technical prowess complements Rohit’s aggression .

2. Top Order: Virat Kohli & Shreyas Iyer

Virat Kohli: With 50 ODI centuries and a stellar Champions Trophy record (avg. 88.16), Kohli’s role as anchor is irreplaceable .
Shreyas Iyer: India’s middle-order backbone, Iyer’s ability to handle spin makes him crucial for consolidating the innings.

3. Middle Order & Wicketkeeper: KL Rahul

KL Rahul: Likely to bat at No. 5, Rahul’s dual role as a finisher and wicketkeeper adds flexibility. His recent form (avg. 47.7 in ODIs) and experience in pressure situations tilt the scales in his favor over Rishabh Pant .

4. All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel

Hardik Pandya: A vital cog for balance, Pandya’s power-hitting and medium-pace bowling offer depth.
Ravindra Jadeja & Axar Patel: Their left-arm spin and lower-order batting strengthen India’s attack, especially on Dubai’s spin-friendly tracks .

5. Bowling Attack: Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav

Mohammed Shami: The leader of the pace attack, Shami’s swing and death-over expertise (197 ODI wickets) will be critical .
Arshdeep Singh: Preferred over Harshit Rana for his left-arm angle and economy (14 wickets in 9 ODIs) .
Kuldeep Yadav: The wrist-spinner edges out Varun Chakaravarthy due to his recent net performances and ability to exploit Dubai’s slow conditions .

Key Selection Dilemmas

Arshdeep vs Harshit Rana: While Rana’s raw pace is tempting, Arshdeep’s variety and recent form make him the safer choice .
Spin Trio vs Pace Depth: India might prioritize three spinners (Jadeja, Axar, Kuldeep) given Dubai’s pitch, which slows down as the game progresses .
KL Rahul’s Position: Rahul’s flexibility (No. 5 or 6) allows tactical adjustments based on match dynamics .

Bangladesh’s Challenge and India’s Edge

Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, boasts veterans like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mustafizur Rahman. However, their recent 3-0 ODI loss to the West Indies highlights vulnerabilities. India’s head-to-head dominance (32 wins in 41 ODIs) and strong record in Dubai (2 wins in 2 matches) further tilt the balance .

A Balanced Lineup for a Strong Start

India’s predicted XI combines firepower, experience, and tactical flexibility:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh.

With this lineup, India aims to assert dominance early and set the tone for their Champions Trophy campaign. The match starts at 2:30 PM IST on February 20 – mark your calendars!