As anticipation builds for the announcement of India’s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy, former cricketer Harbhajan Singh has shared his predictions, making some surprising omissions. While the BCCI was expected to reveal the 15-member squad by January 12, the announcement has been pushed to January 19.
Harbhajan’s selections, shared on his YouTube channel, exclude star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and experienced batsman KL Rahul. Instead, he suggests that Sanju Samson might edge out Rishabh Pant for a spot in the team.
Harbhajan’s Rationale
“We should not get emotional after the defeat in Australia. The focus must be on picking the best side using logic and wisdom,” Harbhajan said.
Predicted Line-Up
- Rohit Sharma (C): The skipper leads the squad.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: A promising talent deserving an ODI spot.
- Virat Kohli: A mainstay at No. 3.
- Shreyas Iyer: Solidified his place with recent performances.
- Tilak Varma: Impressed with his T20 displays in South Africa.
- Sanju Samson/Rishabh Pant: Samson might get the nod due to his South Africa experience, while Pant’s workload in Australia could warrant a rest.
- Hardik Pandya: Retains his role as the all-rounder.
- Axar Patel: Harbhajan sees him ready to fill Jadeja’s shoes.
- Kuldeep Yadav: In form as a spinner.
- Jasprit Bumrah: The ace pacer returns.
- Mohammed Shami: Adds firepower to the bowling attack.
- Mohammed Siraj: Listed as the 12th man.
Additional Picks
- Shubman Gill: Preferred over KL Rahul for his ODI scoring rate.
- Nitish Kumar Reddy: A fresh talent.
- Yuzvendra Chahal: Another spin option.
Harbhajan’s Take on Key Omissions
On excluding Jadeja, Harbhajan remarked, “Axar Patel is ready to take on Jadeja’s role.” For KL Rahul, he pointed to Shubman Gill’s ability to score quickly in ODIs as the deciding factor.
The Indian and Pakistani teams are among the last to finalize their squads for the February 19 to March 9 tournament, adding to the excitement as fans eagerly await the official announcements.
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