3 Out Of Form Team India Players Ahead Of Champions Trophy 2025

Team India will start their Champions Trophy campaign on February 20 [Source: @Pallavi_paul21/x.com]

The Champions Trophy 2025 is on the horizon and Team India looks ready to rumble under Rohit Sharma’s leadership. Everyone’s buzzing about Jasprit Bumrah’s absence but that won’t stop India from eyeing glory.

The Men in Blue start off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, then face the big showdown with Pakistan on February 23, before wrapping up the group stage against New Zealand on March 2.

The road here had its twists and turns. India recently swept England 3-0 at home. The batters showed glimpses of brilliance, the bowlers had their moments in the sun and the crowd went home with smiles. But not everything has been sugar and spice.

Since their heartbreak in the 2023 World Cup final, India has played nine ODIs, winning five, losing three, and tying one. Some key players look as out of sorts as a fish out of water which is a worry before a high-stakes tournament.

Let’s take a look at 3 out of form Indian players ahead of Champions Trophy 2025.

3. Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami’s return to international cricket after a long time injury layoff has been far from smooth. The seasoned pacer, known for his deadly accuracy and reverse swing, seems to be struggling to hit his rhythm.

His recent outings have been below par, raising serious concerns about India’s bowling strength without Bumrah. Making his comeback in the recent T20I series against England, Shami picked up only three wickets in two matches at a high economy of 9.09.

Things didn’t improve in the subsequent ODI series, where he played two matches and managed just two wickets at an average of 52.00. These numbers are far from reassuring.

Mohammed Shami’s Recent Form (ODI and T20I)

For a man expected to lead the bowling attack in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, these numbers don’t paint a pretty picture. India’s chances in the Champions Trophy will hinge on Shami rediscovering his lethal yorkers and getting back to his rhythm. If not, India’s death-bowling woes might come back to haunt them.

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2. KL Rahul

KL Rahul’s current form is a classic case of talent waiting to explode but never quite getting there. His inconsistency has raised plenty of eyebrows. Since the 2023 World Cup, Rahul has been struggling to find runs, and it’s not just about numbers; it’s his overall approach that looks shaky.

In the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Rahul registered scores of 31 and 0. In South Africa, he managed 77 runs in two innings as captain, but his strike rate of 77.78 was far from encouraging. The recent 3-0 win over England didn’t bring any joy for Rahul either—he scored just 52 runs in three innings at a disappointing average of 17.33.

KL Rahul’s Recent ODI Form

What’s worrying is not just his batting but also some unconvincing moments behind the stumps, making his place in the playing XI less certain than ever before. Rahul needs to grab the opportunity with both hands before the window shuts on him. 

Champions Trophy is the perfect stage for him to find his mojo again. If he fails, he may end up warming the bench while others stake their claim.

1. Virat Kohli

It’s rare to see Virat Kohli on an “out-of-form” list, but these are unusual times. While Kohli’s struggles in Test cricket are well-known, his ODI form since the World Cup has also taken a dip.

The man who once made chasing totals look like a walk in the park is suddenly finding himself in murky waters. Spinners have tied him down, and pacers are finding success by probing the fourth-stump line.

In the ODI series against Sri Lanka last year, Kohli could manage just 58 runs in three innings at an average of 19.33. Against England recently, he scored a scratchy 5 in one game and followed it up with a 52 that still felt out of character. 

Virat Kohli’s Recent ODI Form

Kohli’s usual swagger seems to be missing, and India will be desperately hoping for him to get back to his old run-machine avatar. If India wants to have any shot at lifting the Champions Trophy, Kohli needs to roar back into form. He is too good a player to stay quiet for long. When Kohli fires, India almost always wins.

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