Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra not too long ago revealed his Indian squad picks for the 2025 Champions Trophy and the previous ODI collection in opposition to England. He expressed confidence in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli‘s continued presence within the group.
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Chopra shared his alternatives on his YouTube channel, basing them on India’s 2023 ODI World Cup squad. He opted for Rohit Sharma as captain and opening batsman.
“Rohit Sharma as an opener and captain, with no shadow of doubt. For the reason that begin of the 2023 ODI World Cup, he has performed 14 innings and scored 754 runs at a mean of 54, with a century, 5 half-centuries, and a strike price of almost 130,” he mentioned.
Chopra’s reasoning stemmed from Rohit’s sturdy efficiency for the reason that 2023 World Cup. He highlighted Rohit’s spectacular common, century, half-centuries, and strike price.
Chopra additionally chosen Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as opening batsmen choices. He acknowledged Gill’s latest dip in type whereas advocating for Jaiswal’s inclusion within the squad.
“Shubman Gill’s numbers haven’t been that good. For the reason that begin of the World Cup, he has performed 12 innings, has a mean of 37.4, hasn’t scored a century, has 5 half-centuries, and 411 runs in whole. Not ok. Subsequently, there’s a case for Yashasvi Jaiswal. Whether or not he will probably be there within the XI or not, he must be within the group,” he elaborated.
Additionally learn: Ex-India opener explains why Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson received’t characteristic in India’s ODI squad
Regardless of a latest lean patch, Virat Kohli additionally secured a spot in Chopra’s squad. Chopra emphasised Kohli’s total common and three centuries in ODIs.
“After that, Virat Kohli, there isn’t a doubt about that. He has scored his runs at a mean of 74 in 14 innings and has scored three centuries. Though he did not rating runs in Sri Lanka, he nonetheless has a mean of 74. Think about how his World Cup would have been,” Chopra noticed.
Chopra chosen Hardik Pandya as the only real seam-bowling all-rounder. He identified Pandya’s latest participation within the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophies.
“Hardik Pandya needs to be within the group, there isn’t a doubt about that. He’s taking part in the Vijay Hazare and performed the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as properly. He has performed plenty of cricket as a result of the query was that he does not play,” he mentioned.
“After that, I really feel each Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel will probably be part of the group. Axar Patel received injured (earlier than the World Cup). His luck is so unhealthy that they may take Nitish Kumar Reddy in his place,” Chopra noticed.
Chopra advocated for the inclusion of three spinners—Jadeja, Patel, and Yadav—regardless of potential pitch situations in Dubai.
“Nevertheless, I’m saying preserve three spinners after Hardik Pandya—Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. I’ll undoubtedly preserve three spinners though there will probably be a slight downside in Dubai. It will likely be barely chilly, and there will probably be a little bit moisture. So spin won’t be used that a lot, however I nonetheless request you to take all three,” he added.
Within the tempo division, Chopra excluded Shardul Thakur, choosing Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh.
He emphasised Bumrah and Shami’s significance, notably Shami’s inclusion if match. He famous that Shami also needs to play in opposition to England.
India’s three-match ODI collection in opposition to England begins on February sixth in Nagpur. The Champions Trophy begins on February 19th, with India’s first match in opposition to Bangladesh on February 20th in Dubai.
