The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19, with Pakistan and Dubai co-hosting the tournament. India, however, will play all their matches in the UAE, starting with their opening clash against Bangladesh on February 20. Amidst speculation and excitement surrounding the announcement of India’s official squad, renowned cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle shared his picks for the marquee event on his YouTube channel, making waves with a surprising decision.
Harsha Bhogle’s bold call on Jasprit Bumrah
In an unexpected decision, Bhogle has chosen to exclude ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah from his squad, citing ongoing concerns about his fitness. Bumrah recently sustained an injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 and remains in doubt for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
“Let me outline my assumptions and starting point. I will assume that two of India’s premier bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, may not be available due to injuries. If they are fit, fantastic,” Bhogle explained.
Bhogle predicts India’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025
Batting line-up: Opener and middle order
Bhogle viewed Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as the primary opening pair, boasting a solid partnership with over 70 runs in at least 25 innings together. Additionally, he highlighted the potential of Yashasvi Jaiswal, a left-handed option who could be useful in conditions favoring slower bowling.
In the middle order, Harsha picked Virat Kohli without question, as he remains a crucial figure with his consistency and class. Alongside Kohli, Shreyas Iyer makes the cut, thanks to his strong performances during the 2023 World Cup and his impressive domestic form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. With these two batters, Harsha convinced India have a reliable core of five in the batting line-up, with the flexibility to adjust depending on match situations.
Wicket-keeping options and all-rounders
Harsha believed India is fortunate to have two capable wicket-keepers who can also contribute with the bat. He picked KL Rahul as his primary wicketkeeper, provided he remains fit and available, given Rahul’s proven impact in ODIs. Alongside Rahul, he mentioned Rishabh Pant, who has shown strong form in domestic cricket and offers valuable runs in the middle order.
Hardik Pandya is identified by Harsha as the backbone of India’s ODI team. His ability to consistently bowl six to seven overs provides crucial balance to the side. Harsha believed Pandya is in excellent form, both in T20Is and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, making him indispensable at number six.
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Bowling options and spin department
Harsha opted for a balanced bowling attack – three seamers and three spinners. For the seam attack, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh are his picks, assuming that Jasprit Bumrah won’t be available. Harsha sees Siraj and Arshdeep as bowlers who have already proven themselves in white-ball cricket, while Shami brings invaluable control and experience to the attack.
In the spin department, Harsha went with three finger spinners – Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. He mentioned that these spinners tend to perform well in UAE conditions, and their ability to bat further strengthens their place in the squad.
15th spot decision and standby players: Bhogle’s choice
The 15th spot was a difficult decision for Harsha. After much deliberation, he selected Varun Chakravarthy as the final player in the squad. Chakravarthy has a proven track record as a match-winner in ODIs, and his variations could be crucial in UAE conditions. To provide depth and flexibility, Harsha identified four standby players: Ravi Bishnoi, Nitin Kumar Reddy as an additional finisher, Umran Malik as a backup pacer, and Karun Nair as a backup batter. These players offer valuable options and can step in at short notice if needed.
Also READ: Harbhajan Singh picks his India squad for the Champions Trophy 2025; big names misses out
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