India squad for ICC Champions Trophy: Don’t expect bold decisions, question mark on Sanju Samson

The BCCI Selection Committee is set to pick the India squad for the ICC Champions Trophy on Jan 18, with key decisions to be made on players like Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson, and Rishabh Pant.

The time has come. The BCCI Selection Committee will pick the India squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Saturday, Jan 18. With just six ODIs since the World Cup 2023 final, India Cricket Team does not have enough data to go on with. Hence, new head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selection committee Ajit Agarkar will have to take a call on whether to go with the current form or pick the set squad that reached the World Cup final. Most importantly, they will have to take a call on Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant.

While Jasprit Bumrah is currently nursing an injury, selectors must decide on a backup opener in Yashasvi Jaiswal. They will also need to take a call on the third spinner and third wicketkeeper.

Decision time for Selectors

• Should India risk Bumrah in Dubai?
• Is there a place for Yashasvi Jaiswal?
• Should India go with left-hander Rishabh Pant or in-form Sanju Samson?
• Who will be India’s third spinner: Axar Patel or Washington Sundar or Varun Chakaravarthy?
• Pick an all-rounder or an additional seamer?

Should India risk Bumrah in Dubai?

After bowling an exhausting 151.2 overs in Australia, Bumrah broke down. After complaining of a back problem, India’s ace pacer consulted his surgeon in New Zealand. Since then, he has been on rest. While he is set to report to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru over the weekend, there is no rushing him. With IPL 2025 and then another exhausting 5-match Test series against England coming up, selectors and the physios will need to be cautious with Bumrah.

Even if Bumrah is 100% fit, should the team management play him in all matches or only in selected matches of ICC Champions Trophy? It must be noted that Dubai has a history of producing sluggish pitches where spinners and slow bowlers will have an advantage.

Is there a place for Yashasvi Jaiswal?

In a good run of form but yet to make his ODI debut, Yashasvi Jaiswal will pose a tough question to the selectors. Should he be part of the 15-member squad as a backup opener? Considering Rohit Sharma is confirmed to lead India, he will be the designated opener alongside Shubman Gill, who has scored 1434 runs in the last two years at an average of 57.36 in ODIs.

However, if Jaiswal makes it to the 15-member squad, India will have to drop either Sanju Samson or Rishabh Pant to the reserves.

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Rishabh Pant or Sanju Samson?

Before every ICC event, Sanju Samson seems destined to be in the squad, only to be either left out or made a fringe member of the team. Rishabh Pant remains India’s No 1 choice to keep wickets across all formats. But KL Rahul has changed the equation, becoming handy with the gloves. He is likely to continue as the keeper-batter. But then who will be the second-choice wicketkeeper?

Sanju Samson has been in terrific ODI form. Since making his ODI debut in 2021, Samson has played only 14 innings. But he has found his rhythm back. He averages 56.66 in ODIs. In his last ODI outing, he scored his maiden century in India colours. Samson has also kept his form going in T20Is, slamming two centuries in South Africa. However, Samson is more suitable to bat in the Top 4 and all those slots are currently occupied.

However, with Rishabh Pant, the equation is different. Pant has an advantage. If he plays, he could be the only left-hander in India’s batting line-up before Ravindra Jadeja comes in at 7. But for Pant to make the India Playing XI, Rohit-Gambhir will need to drop one batter in either KL Rahul or Shreyas Iyer. Another problem with Pant is the lack of data for Pant. Since his return to cricket after a long layoff following the accident, Pant has played only one ODI and 10 T20Is.

India’s WKs in last 24 months

Who will be India’s third spinner?

While Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are all but two confirmed spinners in ODIs, selectors will have to take a call on the third spinner. Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Varun Chakaravarthy will fight for the solitary spot if at all there is one.

While Axar Patel should be the first-choice, the problem is his similarity with Jadeja. Axar is the best white-ball batter among the spinners. But with Jadeja present, the left-arm spinner will find it difficult to get a place in the Playing XI. Washingon Sundar offers the variety. The off-spinner is a fine batter and India could benefit if the pitch is suitable for a third spinner. As for Varun Chakaravarthy, it’s his T20 form that keeps selectors on their toes. But only one can get into the 15-member squad.

Nitish Kumar Reddy or extra seamer?

After a long wait, India cricket seems to have found an ideal backup for Hardik Pandya. With a century in Australia, Nitish Kumar Reddy has beome selectors’ favourite. However, picking the seam-bowling allrounder could come at a cost. India might have to leave out a specialist seamer from the 15-member squad.

With Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, there won’t be a spot left in the 15. Hence, selectors must take a tough call on Reddy’s inclusion.

Probable India squad for ICC Champions Trophy