The anticipation for India’s 15-member squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, set to begin on February 19 across Pakistan and the UAE, continues to build. While certain names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya are seen as guaranteed selections, there are still question marks over other spots.
Concerns remain about the availability of key players like Jasprit Bumrah, who is still recovering from injury, and Mohammed Shami, whose ability to handle the workload of a 50-over tournament is uncertain despite his recall for the T20I series against England. Kuldeep Yadav has resumed bowling but is still not fully fit for consideration. Apart from Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja, whose places are all but assured, the final squad makeup remains unclear.
Amid this uncertainty, former cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag have shared their recommendations for India’s Champions Trophy squad, offering insights that could influence the selectors’ decisions.
Harbhajan Picks Samson Over Pant as Wicketkeeper
One of the most debated positions in India’s squad is that of the wicketkeeper. Harbhajan Singh believes Sanju Samson, rather than Rishabh Pant, should be India’s first-choice wicketkeeper for the tournament. Pant, who managed just 255 runs from nine innings in the Test series against Australia, has struggled for consistency. In contrast, Samson has been in sublime form in T20Is, smashing three centuries in five innings against Bangladesh and South Africa.
“Sanju Samson is my choice. He should be the first-choice wicketkeeper for the Champions Trophy,” Harbhajan stated during an appearance on the YouTube channel Switch. Although Samson was not included in Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad, Harbhajan feels his performances in T20Is should be enough to secure his spot.
Sehwag Wants Jaiswal as Rohit’s Opening Partner
Virender Sehwag, known for his aggressive approach both on and off the field, suggested a bold move for India’s opening combination. While Shubman Gill is the likely partner for skipper Rohit Sharma, Sehwag believes Yashasvi Jaiswal deserves a chance to open in ODIs.
Jaiswal has already showcased his talent in Tests, scoring 700 runs against England and amassing 391 runs from five Tests against Australia. Although the young left-hander is yet to make his ODI debut, Sehwag is confident that his adaptability across formats makes him a strong candidate.
“My advice to the selectors would be to give Jaiswal a chance in ODIs. His performances in Tests and T20Is prove that the 50-over format suits his style. He should definitely be part of India’s ODI setup,” Sehwag said on the same platform.
Squad Announcement Expected Soon
The BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has been closely monitoring players’ performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. With the tournament concluding this weekend, the final squad for the Champions Trophy is expected to be announced by January 19.
While the inclusion of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya is a given, it will be interesting to see whether the selectors heed the advice of Harbhajan and Sehwag by including players like Samson and Jaiswal in India’s squad.
