Mon Jan 20 02:08:23 UTC 2025: ## Former Coach Bangar Selects Provisional Playing XI for India’s Champions Trophy Opener; Pant, Shami Omitted

**Mumbai, India** – With the Indian squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy announced on Saturday, January 18th, former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar has unveiled his predicted playing XI for the tournament’s opening match. His selection notably omits star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and fast bowler Mohammed Shami.

Bangar opted for Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh as the main pace attack, relegating Shami to a backup role. Shami’s omission is partially attributed to a heel injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup, which required surgery and a year-long recovery. While he has since returned to the team and featured in recent series, Bangar stated on Star Sports’ “Follow the Blues” show that if both Bumrah and Arshdeep are fit, Shami would be dropped, explaining, “You can drop one of the fast bowlers. If both Arshdeep and Bumrah are available, you can drop someone like Shami. So, for me, Shami is not a starter.”

Bangar’s predicted XI includes Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh. He suggested that either Jadeja or Axar Patel would fill the all-rounder spot, with one of them and Pant sitting on the bench.

The officially announced 15-member squad includes Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja. The selection of the final playing XI remains subject to player fitness and form leading up to the tournament.

**(Note: The unrelated information about Saif Ali Khan and Shariful Islam has been omitted from this news article as it’s irrelevant to the main topic.)**

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