Well-settled top six, Bumrah's absence: Team India's SWOT analysis ahead of CT2025

New Delhi: Following a short nine-match ODI run after a heartbreaking loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final at home, Team India is heading into the ICC Champions Trophy with many things settled and falling into place nicely. However, the glaring negative remains the absence of Jasprit Bumrah due to injury, which poses a threat to the Men in Blue’s chances in another ICC tournament at a venue where they do not have the best memories.

The biggest match of the Champions Trophy, between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, will be played on February 23. India will start its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, and their last league match will be against New Zealand on March 2.

India ended their run of ODIs after a 3-0 clean sweep against England at home, with plenty of positives to be proud of, as well as some serious issues to address, not only for the Champions Trophy but also for the long road ahead to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Bilateral series form

India played nine ODIs following the Ahmedabad heartbreak. India won two out of the three series they participated in, losing one to Sri Lanka in a shocker last year. However, a new-look Indian side won in South Africa under the captaincy of KL Rahul at the end of 2023, and a full-strength India completed a 3-0 whitewash against England at home, denying them the opportunity to display their ‘Bazball’ brand of cricket under new head coach Brendon McCullum.

Out of their nine matches, India won five, lost three, and one game ended in a tie. India’s incredible ability to chase down totals took a small hit due to the Sri Lanka series, losing twice while chasing low totals, tying once, and winning thrice.

India's series results:

• 2-1 series win over South Africa (away from home)
• 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka (away from home)
• 3-0 win over England (at home)

Positives

• A well-settled top-six: India has a top-six that has displayed red-hot form in ODIs during the last couple of years. This includes skipper Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya. The role clarity within the team is top-notch. Rohit and Shubman maximize the powerplay, with Virat providing safety and reliability. Once the top three give a solid foundation, the rest of the batting order wastes no time in attacking and dismantling the opposition.

• Presence of quality all-rounder options: In Hardik Pandya, India has a quality pace-bowling all-rounder with a wicket-taking pace of up to 140 kmph and several clutch batting and bowling performances to his name. Ravindra Jadeja’s experience, ability to unleash a spin-web, chip in useful runs, and save valuable runs with his electrifying fielding makes him a real three-dimensional player. In addition, the presence of left-handed all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar adds depth to every department. Axar's improvement as a batter and Sundar's potential at just 25 make them valuable figures.

• Winning momentum: It counts, and India's clean sweep against a strong side like England in their last series before the tournament will give them plenty of confidence.

• Presence of ODI specialists: In Gill, Rohit, Virat, Iyer, and Rahul, India has five top-level batters who have mastered the art of ODI batting, irrespective of their form in other formats.

• Return of Mohammed Shami: Shami has finally returned from injury. While he has taken just two wickets in two ODIs so far against England, it's all about peaking at the right time. Moreover, just the mere presence of Shami will have a positive effect on younger fast-bowling talent.

Negatives

• Absence of Jasprit Bumrah: India’s chances during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy could be easily summarized by pacer Mohammed Siraj’s words in broken English after the T20 World Cup 2024 title win: "I only believe on Jass Bhai, game changer player he is." After Bumrah’s return from injury, India's hopes of glory have hinged as much on his spell as on the success of its batters, mainly Rohit and Virat. The "National Treasure," as Virat called him following the T20 WC title win, is, however, out due to a back stress injury.

• Inexperience and shortage in main-pace bowling attack: With Bumrah out and Siraj in non-traveling reserves, India's main-pace attack is severely inexperienced. While Mohammed Shami has returned to action, he has not looked in the best rhythm so far. Siraj, on the other hand, has been highly efficient with the new ball in his career so far in ODIs. Since 2022, Siraj has been India's top wicket-taker in ODIs, with 71 wickets at an average of 22.97 in 43 matches. Without these two stars, India is left with Shami, a three-ODI-old pacer, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh, who has played just nine ODIs. While Arshdeep has a five-wicket haul to his name and Harshit impressed in the recent series against England, the inexperience is still glaring and could backfire. The lack of pace options, with just three frontline pacers and all-rounder Hardik’s valuable overs, which could fluctuate depending on his body and injury concerns, adds to the uncertainty.

• Concerns over the forms of Rohit and Virat: While both Rohit and Virat have never truly lost form in white-ball cricket, concerns over their consistency due to their recent and underwhelming Test returns have arisen. Fans and experts are hoping for "Ro-Ko" to replicate their World Cup 2023 heroics and perform their contrasting roles perfectly. However, at the back of their minds, a question arises: Are age and reflexes on their side? Virat's problems against spin and outside-off deliveries are a major concern. While these haven't affected his ODI game, they are worth addressing. However, the blistering hundred by Rohit in the second ODI against England and Virat's good-looking fifty in the final ODI offer hope for a strong performance from the "Ro-Ko" duo on the biggest stage.

• Psychological disadvantage: India’s last experience in the UAE for an ICC event wasn’t ideal. In the 2021 T20 World Cup, after Virat announced his T20I captaincy would end following the tournament, India faced a devastating farewell: a 10-wicket loss to arch-rivals Pakistan and a group-stage exit after another loss to New Zealand. This time around, Pakistan and New Zealand are still in India’s group. Will history repeat itself in Dubai?

India's top performers since the end of the 2023 World Cup till now:

• Top run-getters:

  • Shubman Gill: 316 runs in 6 matches (average 52.66, strike rate 92.12, with a century and two fifties)
  • Rohit Sharma: 279 runs in 6 matches (average 46.50, strike rate 132.85, with a century and two fifties)
  • Shreyas Iyer: 271 runs in 7 matches (average 38.71, strike rate 117.31, with three fifties)
  • Axar Patel: 193 runs in 9 matches (average 27.57, with a half-century)
  • KL Rahul: 160 runs in 8 matches (average 22.85, with one fifty)

• Top wicket-getters:

  • Arshdeep Singh: 14 wickets in 6 matches (average 16.64)
  • Axar Patel: 8 wickets in 9 matches (average 34.25)
  • Washington Sundar: 8 wickets in 5 matches (average 23.25)
  • Kuldeep Yadav: 7 wickets in 7 matches (average 34.85)
  • Avesh Khan: 6 wickets in 3 matches (average 19.16)

India's squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Non-traveling substitutes:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Shivam Dube. These three players will travel to Dubai as and when required. | ANI