India’s ODI squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy in February faces key decisions regarding several senior players, despite the core of the batting lineup remaining intact with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, the futures of players like KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja are uncertain as the selectors prepare to meet this weekend. These players were part of India’s World Cup squad last year, but their places in the squad for the Champions Trophy, starting on February 19, could be up for debate. Since the World Cup final, India has played six ODIs, and while Shami and Jadeja were rested, Rahul featured in both of India’s away bilateral series against South Africa and Sri Lanka. Yet, Rahul’s position remains uncertain, especially after he was dropped mid-series against Sri Lanka for failing to make a significant impact.
Rahul’s lackluster performance in the ODI against Australia on November 19, 2023, where he scored a slow half-century after facing over 100 balls, was another setback for his place in the squad. This match has been widely discussed as a key reason for India’s defeat, further fueling doubts about his inclusion in the Champions Trophy squad.
One potential replacement for Rahul is Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is being strongly considered for the ODI squad. Jaiswal’s left-handed batting could offer India a valuable option in the top four. However, this raises questions about the need for Rahul if Rishabh Pant is the first-choice wicketkeeper. In such a scenario, Rahul’s role as a backup wicketkeeper becomes questionable. Additionally, his place as a batter would be uncertain if he is not performing the wicketkeeping duties.
Among the players competing for the backup wicketkeeper and batter spots, Ishan Kishan has struggled for form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, while Sanju Samson’s omission from Kerala’s squad due to injury has made his position even more precarious. However, if coach Gautam Gambhir continues to have a say in the selection, as he did before the Australia tour, it is likely that Samson, a personal favorite of the coach, could still make the cut.
India’s Champions Trophy matches will be held in Dubai, with the first match against Bangladesh scheduled for February 20. This shift from the original venue, Pakistan, was made due to security concerns raised by the Indian team.
Jadeja’s struggles in white-ball cricket are another area of concern. His batting in limited-overs formats hasn’t been as effective in recent times, leading to speculation that Axar Patel may have surpassed him in importance for India’s ODI squad. Patel’s all-around contributions in ODIs have made him a more reliable option in comparison to Jadeja, who has struggled with consistency.
Meanwhile, in the spinning department, Washington Sundar is expected to secure a spot as the off-spinner. Kuldeep Yadav’s fitness remains a matter of concern for the selectors, as he has not participated in any Vijay Hazare Trophy games and is only just regaining full fitness. If Kuldeep is not included in the squad, Ravi Bishnoi or Varun Chakravarthy might be selected as replacements.
Shami’s fitness is another key issue. While there were some communication gaps between the pacer and the team management regarding his physical condition, Shami has bowled eight overs in his last two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, signaling that he is regaining fitness. If Jasprit Bumrah is unable to play due to his ongoing back issues, Shami’s experience will become crucial for India’s bowling attack. Alongside Shami, Hardik Pandya is expected to continue as the seam bowling all-rounder.
Another intriguing possibility is the selection of Nitish Reddy, though this would depend on the selectors’ considerations. In terms of reserve specialist batters, the decision could come down to Rinku Singh and Tilak Varma, both of whom have shown promise but will need to impress further to secure a spot in the squad.
The players most likely to be included in the Champions Trophy squad are:
- Rohit Sharma (captain)
- Shubman Gill
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahul
- Rishabh Pant
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Varun Chakravarthy/Ravi Bishnoi
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Arshdeep Singh
- Avesh Khan/Mohammed Shami
- Rinku Singh/Tilak Varma
The composition of India’s ODI squad for the Champions Trophy hinges on the fitness, form, and versatility of key players, with several senior figures under scrutiny. As the selection deadline approaches, much attention will be focused on the final decisions regarding these players’ roles in the squad. With the competition heating up for spots, it will be interesting to see how the selectors navigate these challenges to form the most balanced and competitive team for the Champions Trophy.
