Joe Root set to return, no place for Ben Stokes in England’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy

England batter Joe Root is set to make a return to the ODI side for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy which is scheduled to commence from February. Wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler will be leading the side in the much-awaited ICC tournament.

Root, who turns 34 later this month, is set to finish 2024 as the No. 1 ranked Test batter in the world, after racking up 1556 runs at a stellar average of 55.57, including 6 centuries in the format.

The batter last featured for the Three Lions in the one-day format during their disastrous 2023 ODI World Cup campaign where he scored 276 runs at an average of 30.66 in the team’s group-stage exit from the tournament.

On the other hand, star all-rounder Ben Stokes wasn’t able to find a place in the squad following a hamstring injury that he sustained during England’s defeat to New Zealand in the third and final Test of the series.

Other notable players who were snubbed from England’s Champions Trophy team are all-rounder Sam Curran and left-arm pacer Reece Topley, both of whom have a lot of experience when it comes to international cricket.

It will be interesting to see if this England side, guided by coach Brendon McCullum will be able to emerge as one of the contenders for the Champions Trophy.

England’s ODI squad for 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

England have also chosen the same side for their upcoming ODI series against India which is set to begin from February next year. The Three Lions have made only 1 change in their ODI squad for the 5-match T20I series against the Men in Blue which will commence from January 22.

They have opted to go for leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed in place of Root, who doesn’t participate in T20Is for England.

England T20I squad for tour of India: Jos Buttler (capt), 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

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