Dhawan, Yadav set to make the cut for Champions Trophy

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's selection committee will meet on Saturday in Mumbai to pick the squad for the next month's Champions Trophy.

With Sachin Tendulkar having retired, and Virender Sehwag not in the probables' list, the selectors will have to first look for a good opening pair.

Shikhar Dhawan is almost certain to partner Gautam Gambhir in the opening slot following his breathtaking onslaught against the Australians in his debut Test and a good showing in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

He is among three specialist openers in the 30-man probables' list - the others being Murali Vijay and Gautam Gambhir -- that was announced on April 6, and is a clear favourite to make the 15-member squad.

- Name your 15-man squad

Virat Kohli is expected to lead the pack of middle order batsmen, which should include the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

Ajinkya Rahane is also expected to feature in the team, but the selectors are unlikely to take a gamble on Cheteshwar Pujara, who has not played a match since sustaining a finger injury during the Australia Test series and is undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

- Name your 15-man squad

Ishant Sharma is likely to lead the new-ball attack along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has impressed in his fledgling international career.

Besides the duo, pacer Umesh Yadav is also certain to make the cut following a good comeback from injury in the ongoing IPL.

Irfan Pathan is also likely to find a place considering the seaming conditions in England.

Praveen Kumar's good showing for Kings XI Punjab could see him make the squad ahead of Ashok Dinda, who has been below par for Pune Warriors.

- Name your 15-man squad

Ravichandran Ashwin will lead the spin attack, with Amit Mishra securing the place for the second spinner on his good performance in the IPL.

This will be the first international engagement for Team India after the the four-Test series against Australia on March 24.

India and South Africa kick-off the contest on June 6 at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales, in a Group B match.

India then take on the West Indies at the Kennington Oval in London on June 11 and conclude the four-team group engagement on June 15 against arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Australia, England, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka form Group A.

The top two teams from each group progress to the semi-finals, scheduled on June 19 and 20, at the Kennington Oval and Sophia Gardens respectively with the winners advancing to the June 23 final to be played at Edgbaston.

- Name your 15-man squad