In what comes as a huge boost, Jasprit Bumrah has been named in India’s 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy next month, along with Arshdeep Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj and Sanju Samson have been left out, as revealed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma during a media briefing in Mumbai on January 18.
The same squad will also feature in the three-match ODI series against England, which serves as India’s final preparation before the Champions Trophy. Harshit Rana has been included specifically for the England ODIs, while Bumrah will be unavailable for at least the first two matches of the series as the team management carefully monitors his workload.
Bumrah’s inclusion in the squad is conditional on his full recovery from the back spasms he sustained during the Sydney Test. Joining him in the pace department is Mohammed Shami, marking his return to ODIs after last featuring in 2023. Bumrah, Shami, and Arshdeep Singh form the trio of frontline pacers, while Hardik Pandya has been included as the sole seam-bowling all-rounder.
Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja have been selected as the three spin-bowling all-rounders, while Kuldeep Yadav stands out as the only specialist spinner in the squad. Varun Chakravarthy, despite finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with 18 wickets in six matches, has been overlooked.
Similarly, Karun Nair, who amassed over 750 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, finds no place in the squad. Siraj’s exclusion has also raised eyebrows, given that only Kuldeep (53) has taken more ODI wickets for India since the start of 2023.
While Rohit continues to lead India, Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain with an eye on the future.
Despite being uncapped in ODIs, Jaiswal has earned a spot in the squad, with selectors expressing confidence in his potential to deliver if called upon.
The experienced trio of Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, who formed the core of India’s middle order during the 2023 ODI World Cup, are expected to retain their places in the playing XI for the Champions Trophy.
India squad for the Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant(wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
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