Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Former opener of India Akash Chopra has picked his Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the previous ODI series against England Chopra included both senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the squad and believes their experience will come in handy for the team.
The Champions Trophy squad did not have many surprises apart from the selection of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Arshdeep Singh. While Jaiswal is yet to play an ODI, Arshdeep has played just 8 ODIs so far despite being a key member of India’s T20I squad.
The Champions Trophy 2025 squad has a good mix of youth and experience. It also features Mohammed Shami, who is yet to make his international comeback after his surgery in early 2024. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant have been selected as the two wicketkeepers.
Read also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: ICC delegation makes shock landing in Karachi to review preparations
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli named in Aakash Chopra’s India squad for Champions Trophy
While speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra started from the top and claimed that Rohit Sharma will make it to the Champions Trophy field despite his lean run recently. He backed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill to be the other two openers in the Champions Trophy squad.
“Rohit Sharma as an opener and captain, no doubt. Since the start of ODI World Cup 2023, he has played 14 innings and scored 754 runs at an average of 54, with one century and five half-centuries and a strike rate of almost 130,” explained Aakash Chopra.
“Shubman Gill’s numbers have not been that good. Since the start of the World Cup, he has played 12 innings, averages 37.4, has not scored a single century, has five half-centuries and 411 runs in total.Not good.So there is a case for Yashasvi Jaiswal, whether he will be in the XI or not, he should be in the team.
The cricketer-turned-commentator also backed Virat Kohli as a no-brainer in the team after a fantastic ODI World Cup 2023 and picked Shreyas Iyer as a middle-order batsman over Suryakumar Yadav.
“After that, Virat Kohli, there is no doubt. He has averaged 74 in 14 innings and scored three centuries. Even though he didn’t score runs in Sri Lanka, he still averages 74. Imagine how would have been his World Cup,” noted Aakash Chopra.
“Suryakumar Yadav is not there, but Shreyas Iyer is. Since the start of the World Cup, he has scored 620 runs in 15 innings, with two centuries, at a strike rate of 112 and an average of 52. Iyer is on fire,” the former India batsman added.
Aakash Chopra did not pick Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson despite their superlative performances in T20I cricket recently. Both are vital parts of India’s T20I squad but have failed to make a mark in ODIs.
KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as wicketkeepers for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Aakash Chopra named KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as the two wicketkeepers in the team. He feels that Rahul has an excellent record in ODIs as a middle-order batsman and can become the team’s first-choice wicketkeeper. Chopra also feels Pant doesn’t have an excellent ODI record but will find a place here.
“KL Rahul played after that. Since the start of the 2023 World Cup, he has scored 560 runs at an average of 56 in 14 innings. He has scored one century and three half-centuries. He will also be on the team. I used to play as a goalkeeper then and now I could play as a goalkeeper too,” said Aakash Chopra..
“Rishabh Pant didn’t play the World Cup. What is his ODI record? He has marked his career with a strike rate of 106 and an average of 33.5 with one century and five half centuries. The numbers are not big , but he will. come into the team instead of Ishan Kishan,” he stated.
Aakash Chopra picked Hardik Pandya as the only fast bowler in the Champions Trophy squad. Pandya has not played much cricket of late and has only featured in India’s T20Is teams. However, he has recently started playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy to prepare for the 50-over matches.
Strong bowling attack but subject to fitness
On the bowling side, Aakash Chopra picked three spinners looking at the spinner-friendly pitches in Dubai. Kuldeep Yadav was picked as the only specialist spinner while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel were picked as bowlers.
The fast bowling arsenal looks strong with Jasprit Bumrah leading the pack. Mohammed Shami was also picked as he is expected to be fully fit ahead of the tournament. Arshdeep Singh is the only surprise selection, but he gives the team a quality left-arm option.
“I am saying keep three spinners after Hardik Pandya – Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. I will definitely keep three spinners, although there will be a little problem in Dubai. It will be a little cold and there will be a little moisture. So the spin may not be used much, but I still ask you to take all three,” said Aakash Chopra.
“After that I have left Shardul Thakur out. So I have Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh. There should be no talk of Jasprit Bumrah. Mohammed Shami should go 100% if he is in form. play against England too,” he added.
If India manage to select this team for Champions Trophy 2025 based on their fitness, they can be strong contenders for the title. However, the fitness of some players is still a concern. While the batting looks more or less settled, the bowling could be affected if any top-line player misses out.
Jasprit Bumrah was injured in the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit in time for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Kuldeep Yadav is also back from injury while Mohammed Shami is yet to play an international match after his surgery.
