After a challenging tour of Australia, India is preparing to host England for a white-ball series at home. The series will feature five T20Is and three ODIs in January-February 2025. The ODI series holds significant importance in light of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
India will aim for their players to get sufficient match practice and regain form through the England series before the ICC event. Consequently, it will be essential for key players to participate in the ODIs to refine their skills and establish a good rhythm.
However, the management will need to factor in a few considerations when selecting the ODI squad. Given the demanding nature of the Australian tour, some players will need rest to ensure they are fit and fresh for the Champions Trophy.
Here are the 3 Players India Should Bench For The 2025 ODI Series Vs England:
#1 Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is likely the most prominent player India should rest for the England ODIs. The pacer gave his all, often overexerting himself, during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series.
Bumrah played all five Tests and bowled 151.2 overs, finishing as the highest wicket-taker of the series with 32 wickets. He was the only consistent performer for India, carrying the burden of leading the bowling attack.
He also picked up an injury during the final Test, which raises concerns. Missing the Champions Trophy would be a huge setback, so the team will need to carefully manage his workload and give him a well-deserved break to ensure he is fully recovered for the ICC event.
#2 Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj served as India’s second pacer during the Australia series, sharing the responsibility of leading the attack with Bumrah. In fact, Siraj bowled more than Bumrah, delivering 157.1 overs across five Tests and taking 20 wickets.
While Siraj’s workload often goes under the radar, it’s important to note that he has played in nearly every series, especially with Mohammad Shami sidelined due to injury and fitness issues.
With Siraj now getting a break to recover, India could experiment with other bowlers to form a solid combination for the Champions Trophy. This would also help build a strong pace attack bench for the tournament.
#3 Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli managed to score only 190 runs in five Tests against Australia, marking a tough and mentally challenging tour for the seasoned batter. Although his form in the longer format is a concern, Kohli has continued to perform well in ODIs.
He was the top run-scorer in the 2023 ODI World Cup. While both Kohli and Rohit Sharma struggled in Australia and need some runs to regain confidence, Rohit, with only 31 runs from three Tests, appears to need them more than Kohli at this stage.
By resting Kohli, India can experiment with different middle-order combinations. Players like Riyan Parag, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant are all in the mix for the Champions Trophy.
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