The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is still a couple of months away, but the preparations are already underway for the marquee event, which returns after a gap of eight years.
While the ICC is yet to unveil the schedule, England have announced their squad for the tournament, which will be played under a hybrid model in Pakistan and UAE.
Right before the Champions Trophy, England will travel to India for five T20Is and three ODIs. The eight white-ball games will act as a warm-up for the 50-over extravaganza.
The series against England will also allow India to assemble a strong squad. While the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah are likely to feature in the ODI series, all eyes will particularly be on Kuldeep Yadav.
Kuldeep has been out of action since the first Test against New Zealand in October this year due to a groin injury, which forced him to undergo a surgery in Germany.
Although the operation was successful, the wrist-spinner is yet to resume bowling and he might be racing against time to play the Champions Trophy.
"Kuldeep is yet to start bowling. Once he starts, he will have to appear for a match simulation or two, a few days before he is given the green light. As for the England matches, it’s not impossible but tough (for Kuldeep to return) as just over a month remains for those games to begin. But as far as the Champions Trophy is concerned, there could be a chance of his comeback as there will be more time for it," The Telegraph quoted a BCCI source as saying.
Ahead of the Champions Trophy, Kuldeep will need to prove his match fitness and form by playing in domestic cricket. The left-arm spinner’s childhood coach Kapil Panday is optimistic about his participation in the ICC tournament.
"Actually, Kuldeep felt a bit of pain even while playing the Bengaluru Test. Then I told him not to play further as his situation could have worsened. After that, he had a successful surgery in the groin area in Germany last month. At the Centre of Excellence, since the last week of November, he's undergoing rehab which includes leg exercises like squats and all," Panday told The Telegraph.
"The surgery was done so well that when he returned from Germany, it never seemed that he had undergone an operation. Nonetheless, it all depends on how well he completes the rehab."
Panday also informed that Kuldeep will return to bowling this week and will reunite with his coach to form a basic plan going forward.
"This month itself he should start bowling. I'm quite confident. He'll be here (in Kanpur) by next week and then we'll make further planning. It may be a little early to predict Kuldeep's comeback as he will resume bowling first and then has to play a practice game or two while going through the other tests and processes," Panday remarked.
"Bowling won't be a problem for him, but how his leg feels and how comfortable he is with his run-up is important. So, if all these aspects click, I won't be too surprised if he’s back during the England matches."
