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Harbhajan Singhone of India’s most famous spinners, has shared his thoughts on what India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 it might seem
Harbhajan Singh calls out Team India for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
According to Harbhajan, the team selection should balance youth and experience, keeping in mind the challenges of an ICC tournament and the conditions in Pakistanwhere the tournament will be held. Harbhajan’s comments come amid a flurry of discussions about the Indian team’s recent performances and possible squad overhaul.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he emphasized that emotional decisions, such as dropping senior players like now Rohit Sharma i Virat Kohlithey should be avoided, especially given their importance in high-pressure matches. Instead, he advocated a thoughtful and well-planned approach to ensure that India have a strong squad for the tournament.
Verdict on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Harbhajan has strongly backed Rohit to lead the team in the Champions Trophy. He believed that Rohit’s experience and calm demeanor are essential to deal with the pressures of an ICC tournament. Despite calls from some quarters for a transition to a younger leader, Harbhajan insisted that Rohit remains India’s best choice for the captaincy. He has a proven track record in ICC events and bilateral series, and his understanding of the nuances of the game is invaluable in crunch situations.
When talking about Kohli, Harbhajan was unequivocal in his support for the former captain. He dismissed any notion of quitting Kohli, calling it one “emotional and baseless argument”, Kohli’s experience, consistency and ability to perform under pressure make him an indispensable part of the squad. Harbhajan noted that Kohli has played key matches in all formats and remains one of the most reliable players in the team. Dropping someone of his caliber, especially for a tournament as important as the Champions Trophy, would be a grave mistake.
Young energy in the Indian team
Harbhajan emphasized the need to inject while retaining experienced players. He stood out Yashasvi Jaiswal as a perfect candidate to take an opening slot alongside Rohit. Jaiswal has been in brilliant form in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL)and Harbhajan feels this is the right time to integrate him into the ODI set-up. In the same way, Tilak Varmawho impressed in the T20 series against south africawas another young talent Harbhajan wants to see in the squad. Tilak’s maturity and fearless approach make him a promising middle-order option.
Choice of goalkeeper: Rishabh Pant or Sanju Samson?
For the middle-order positions, Harbhajan put his faith Shreyas Iyer i Sanju Samson. Shreyas had a strong World Cup campaign, scoring critical runs for the team. Despite facing some struggles in recent matches, Harbhajan is confident of his ability to bounce back and play a pivotal role in the Champions Trophy. When it comes to the wicket-keeper batsman role, Harbhajan leaned towards Sanju Samson finished Rishabh pants for his consistency in recent games. He acknowledged Pant’s abilities but felt Samson’s current form warranted a place in the XI.
READ also: Aakash Chopra picks his India squad for Champions Trophy 2025; no place for Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson
The comprehensive 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, he is an automatic choice for Harbhajan. It also gave him an advantage Axar Patel finished Ravindra Jadejaciting Axar’s recent performances and growth as a player. Harbhajan noted that Axar is now ready to take on the role that Jadeja has played for years, making him a valuable asset in both the batting and bowling departments.
A reliable bowling attack
In the bowling department, Harbhajan emphasized the need for a strong and versatile attack. jasprit bumrah i Mohammed Shami they are their main drivers, given their experience and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. Mohammed Siraj He also won the support of Harbhajan, especially after his consistent performances in the last few matches.
Kuldeep Yadav was Harbhajan’s spinner of choice, with the veteran off-spinner praising Kuldeep’s resurgence and effectiveness in ODI cricket. To complete the spin department, Harbhajan included Yuzvendra Chahaladvocating for the presence of a quality leg-spinner in subcontinental conditions.
Paper by 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 team. Although Nitish is not yet a household name, Harbhajan believes that giving such young players exposure to big tournaments could benefit the team in the long run.
Why some big names can be missed
Harbhajan acknowledged that picking his squad would mean leaving out some notable players. For example, KL Rahuldespite his experience, he might have to give way Shubman Gillwhose current shape and consistency make it a better choice. Jadeja, a stalwart of Indian cricket, could also miss out due to Patel’s rise. Other players like it Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Riyan Parag, Rajat Patidar i Sai Sudharsandespite having talent, he could find himself on the sidelines due to intense competition for places.
