ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Five areas of concern for India's squad

Fitness concerns over key players

Ashwin is just getting back to training

The last ODI Mohammed Shami featured in was the semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2015 against Australia. While the fast bowler is undoubtedly one of the best pacers in the country and arguably the spearhead of the attack, he has been injured for a vast majority of the last two seasons.

The fact that he wasn’t a regular member of the Delhi Daredevils side in IPL 2017 might have been down to combination but the fact that he hasn’t played consistently is a concern, especially in a short tournament such as the Champions Trophy, where the games come thick and fast.

Ravichandran Ashwin is undoubtedly the No. 1 spinner in the side but he too is just coming back from injury. He didn't take part in IPL 2017 due to a sports hernia and has only just got back to training and into the rhythm of bowling. While he will only have to bowl 10 overs unlike the long spells he bowled during the home season that preceded the injury, the fact that he isn’t match-fit less than two weeks before the start of the Champions Trophy is an area of concern.

Extra Cover: ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Shankar Basu to return to the Indian team

Yuvraj Singh also has a finger injury that ruled him out of a couple of games for SRH. While it might turn out to be nothing and all might be well in the Champions Trophy, having fitness concerns over your leading fast bowler, spinner and all-rounder don't inspire confidence.