- Head coach Gautam Gambhir can make these three big changes in the 15-member squad before the Champions Trophy 2025, Pant can be dropped from the squad, while there can be a surprise entry of young players in the team.
Gautam Gambhir: On January 18, the 15-member team for the Champions Trophy 2025 was announced in Mumbai by captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar through a press conference. Among these 15 players, Rohit was given the command, while his ODI opening partner Shubman Gill was made the vice-captain of Team India. In this tournament starting from February 19, BCCI can make many big changes in the team by February 12.
In the press conference, Ajit Agarkar had already made it clear that if any player gets injured or is unable to prove his form, then he will be out for sure. After this, Gautam Gambhir can make a surprise entry of these youngsters in the 15-member team before 12 February.
Pant may be out
According to media reports, Gautam Gambhir’s first choice as wicketkeeper-batsman was Sanju Samson, but Ajit Agarkar and the captain expressed confidence in Rishabh Pant, after which Pant was able to find a place in the 15-member team, but Sanju, who performed strongly in the first T20I against England, still has a chance to make a place in Team India.
If Sanju manages to perform well in the remaining four matches of the five T20Is, then he can return to Team India. On the other hand, if Pant flops in the ODI series, then his exit from the squad will be almost certain. Let us tell you that Sanju scored 26 runs off 20 balls in the first T20I against England and played an important role in giving India a strong start of 41 runs along with Abhishek Sharma.
Yashasvi’s leave is possible!
Left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been included in the 15-member squad as a backup opener. He can be included in the playing eleven in case captain Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill is injured or out of form, but now Yashasvi’s place is also under threat. Left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma has proved that he is also a strong contender to be included in the 15-member squad by scoring a half-century in just 20 balls against England.
Abhishek scored 79 runs in 34 balls with the help of 8 sixes and 5 fours in the first T20I against England. If his strong performance continues in the remaining matches, then head coach Gautam Gambhir himself can include Abhishek Sharma as a backup opener and Yashasvi Jaiswal can be dropped.
This player will replace Jadeja
Many questions are being raised on the inclusion of Ravindra Jadeja in the squad of Champions Trophy 2025. Both Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja have been included in the 15-member squad, while both of them bowl and bat in the same way. Before the squad announcement, there were reports that Varun Chakraborty could be included in the 15-member team, but this has not happened. Now after performing well against England, he has once again staked his claim on the team.
Varun took 3 wickets for 23 runs in his four overs in the first T20I match against England. Varun took the wickets of Butler, Brook, and Liam Livingstone. After seeing Varun’s recent performance, Gautam Gambhir may include him in the 15-member squad in place of Jadeja. Let us tell you that Varun was the second-highest wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.