As Indian cricket enters 2025, the year promises to be a defining one across formats for both the men’s and women’s teams. Following a successful 2024, which saw India clinch the T20 World Cup, the Men in Blue face new challenges, including the Champions Trophy and possibly the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Meanwhile, the women’s team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will look to end their ICC title drought with the ODI World Cup on home soil. With the transition phase looming large, here’s a closer look at what lies ahead for Indian cricket.
Champions Trophy 2025: A Shot at Redemption
The Champions Trophy marks India’s first major challenge in 2025. For players like Rohit Sharma, this tournament might serve as their final international outing. India, placed alongside New Zealand, Pakistan, and Bangladesh in the group stage, will compete in Dubai under a hybrid model.
India’s last ICC tournament in the UAE ended in disappointment, with early exits in the 2021 T20 World Cup. This time, Rohit Sharma, aiming to replicate the glory of 2013 under MS Dhoni, will seek redemption after the heartbreak of losing the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
World Test Championship Final: A Steep Road Ahead
India’s quest for the elusive WTC title continues. While they reached the finals in the past two cycles, securing a spot in 2025 hinges on favorable results in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy and Sri Lanka’s home series against Australia. A Boxing Day defeat to Australia has complicated India’s path, making the Sydney Test a must-win. Even with a victory, India’s qualification depends on Sri Lanka delivering a clean sweep against Australia.
The Final Chapter for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli?
The year 2024 highlighted the struggles of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin, sparking calls for a generational shift. Ashwin’s surprise retirement during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy could be the precursor to more exits.
Rohit endured a tough year, averaging 24.76 with just two centuries, while Kohli’s long-standing weakness outside the off-stump limited him to 417 runs at 24.52. With their Test futures under scrutiny, 2025 might mark the end of an era for these icons.
Jasprit Bumrah: A Potential Test Captain?
Jasprit Bumrah showcased his leadership potential during the Perth Test, leading India to victory in a high-pressure scenario. However, concerns about his fitness and workload management complicate the decision to hand him full-time Test captaincy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faces a critical call on balancing Bumrah’s dual role as a pace spearhead and potential leader.
India’s ODI Leadership Dilemma
With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, India must identify Rohit Sharma’s successor. Shubman Gill, the current vice-captain, is a frontrunner but has yet to prove his leadership abilities. Shreyas Iyer, another strong candidate, will need consistent performances to stake his claim. The upcoming Champions Trophy will provide valuable insights into India’s next ODI captain.
The New Era of T20 Cricket
The T20 format has already entered a transitional phase, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja stepping aside after the T20 World Cup triumph. Suryakumar Yadav has taken over as captain, leading the team to convincing victories against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Bangladesh.
Under his leadership, youngsters like Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, and Rinku Singh have emerged, complementing experienced campaigners such as Hardik Pandya. With a balanced squad, India is well-placed to dominate the shortest format.
Gautam Gambhir’s Coaching Under Fire
Gautam Gambhir’s stint as head coach has seen mixed results. While he began with a T20I series win over Sri Lanka, back-to-back series defeats against New Zealand and Australia have put him under pressure. Gambhir’s strategies, particularly against spin, have drawn criticism, and the SCG Test could be pivotal for his future as coach. The BCCI might even explore split coaching roles for red- and white-ball cricket.
Women’s Cricket: Aiming for ICC Glory
After a disappointing 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, the Indian women’s team will have a chance to redeem themselves in the 2025 ODI World Cup at home. Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership will be under the microscope as India aims to end their ICC title drought. Key players like Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma will need to step up in crucial moments.
The Women’s Premier League has injected new talent into the system, and with home conditions favoring the team, this could be a turning point for Indian women’s cricket.
As 2025 unfolds, Indian cricket finds itself at a crossroads. With the Champions Trophy, WTC final, and ODI World Cup on the horizon, the team faces the dual challenge of maintaining dominance while transitioning to a new generation of stars. How the players and management navigate these challenges will determine the legacy of Indian cricket in the years to come.
