LONDON: Experienced batsman Joe Root returned as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Sunday announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 to be held in Pakistan in the February window to March.
Root, who is a regular part of England’s Test squad, has not featured in the shortest format since the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The right-handed batsman had an average turnout in the mega event, amassing 276 runs in nine innings at an average of 30.66, including three half-centuries.
Apart from him, captain Jos Buttler also returned to the ODI squad since England’s poor campaign in the mega event.
Meanwhile, dynamic and all-rounder Ben Stokes was not considered for selection due to a hamstring injury, which he suffered during the third Test of the recently concluded away series against New Zealand.
Notably, ahead of the eight-team tournament, the team will tour India for three matches each of the T20I and ODI series.
The T20I series is scheduled to take place from January 22 to 28, followed by three crucial ODIs, scheduled to take place on February 6, 9 and 12 respectively.
Left-arm pacer Reece Topley, along with all-rounders Sam Curran and Will Jacks were notable absentees from both teams.
England squad for the T20 series in India:
Jos Buttler (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood
England squad for ODI series in India and Champions Trophy:
Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.
Sohail Imran is a senior reporter at Geo News.
