Harbhajan Singh, one of India’s most celebrated off-spinners, has shared his thoughts on what India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 could look like.
Harbhajan Singh’s take on India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad
According to Harbhajan, the squad selection should balance youth and experience, keeping in mind the challenges of an ICC tournament and the conditions in Pakistan, where the tournament is set to be hosted. Harbhajan’s comments come amidst a wave of discussions regarding the Indian team’s recent performances and the potential overhaul of the squad.
Speaking on his Youtube channel, he stressed that emotional decisions, like dropping senior players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, should be avoided, especially considering their importance in high-pressure matches. Instead, he advocated for a thoughtful, well-planned approach to ensure India fields a strong team for the tournament.
Verdict on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Harbhajan has firmly backed Rohit to lead the team in the Champions Trophy. He believed Rohit’s experience and calm demeanor are essential in navigating the pressures of an ICC tournament. Despite calls from some quarters to transition to a younger leader, Harbhajan insisted that Rohit remains India’s best option for captaincy. He has a proven track record in ICC events and bilateral series, and his understanding of the game’s nuances is invaluable in crunch situations.
When discussing Kohli, Harbhajan was unequivocal in his support for the former captain. He dismissed any notion of dropping Kohli, calling it an “emotional and baseless argument,” Kohli’s experience, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure make him an indispensable part of the squad. Harbhajan pointed out that Kohli has delivered in key matches across formats and continues to be one of the team’s most reliable players. Removing someone of his caliber, especially for a tournament as significant as the Champions Trophy, would be a grave mistake.
Young energy into the Indian squad
Harbhajan emphasized the need to inject while retaining experienced players. He highlighted Yashasvi Jaiswal as a perfect candidate to take up an opening slot alongside Rohit. Jaiswal has been in scintillating form in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), and Harbhajan believes this is the right time to integrate him into the ODI setup. Similarly, Tilak Varma, who impressed in the T20 series against South Africa, was another young talent Harbhajan wants to see in the squad. Tilak’s maturity and fearless approach make him a promising middle-order option.
Wicketkeeper choice: Rishabh Pant or Sanju Samson?
For the middle-order positions, Harbhajan placed his faith in Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson. Shreyas had a strong World Cup campaign, scoring critical runs for the team. Despite facing some struggles in recent games, Harbhajan is confident in his ability to bounce back and play a pivotal role in the Champions Trophy. When it comes to the wicketkeeper-batter role, Harbhajan leaned towards Sanju Samson over Rishabh Pant for his consistency in recent matches. He acknowledged Pant’s abilities but felt Samson’s current form warrants a spot in the XI.
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The all-round strength of Men in Blue
Harbhajan was clear about the importance of all-rounders in a tournament like the Champions Trophy. Hardik Pandya, with his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, is an automatic choice for Harbhajan. He also gave the edge to Axar Patel over Ravindra Jadeja, citing Axar’s recent performances and growth as a player. Harbhajan noted that Axar is now ready to take on the role Jadeja has played for years, making him a valuable asset in both batting and bowling departments.
A dependable bowling attack
In the bowling department, Harbhajan emphasized the need for a strong and versatile attack. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are his leading pacers, given their experience and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. Mohammed Siraj also earned Harbhajan’s backing, especially after his consistent performances in recent matches.
Kuldeep Yadav was Harbhajan’s preferred spinner, with the veteran off-spinner praising Kuldeep’s resurgence and effectiveness in ODI cricket. To round off the spin department, Harbhajan included Yuzvendra Chahal, advocating for the presence of a quality leg-spinner in subcontinent conditions.
Role of Nitish Kumar Reddy
Harbhajan also spoke about Nitish Kumar Reddy, a relatively new name in Indian cricket. He believed that Nitish’s performances in domestic cricket and his potential as an all-rounder make him a good addition to the squad. While Nitish might not yet be a household name, Harbhajan feels that giving such young players exposure to big tournaments could benefit the team in the long run.
Why some big names may miss out
Harbhajan acknowledged that his squad selection would mean leaving out some notable players. For instance, KL Rahul, despite his experience, might have to make way for Shubman Gill, whose current form and consistency make him a better choice. Jadeja, a stalwart of Indian cricket, might also miss out due to Patel’s rise. Other players like Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Riyan Parag, Rajat Patidar and Sai Sudharsan, while talented, could find themselves on the sidelines due to the intense competition for spots.
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