Aakash Chopra, a former Indian cricketer, recently announced his Indian squad picks for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the preceding ODI series against England. He showed faith in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's ongoing inclusion in the squad.
India is placed in Group A with Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh and will play their matches in Dubai after refusing to travel to Pakistan due to security reasons.
Chopra announced his selections on his YouTube channel, based on India's 2023 ODI World Cup squad. He selected Rohit Sharma as captain and opening batter.
“Rohit Sharma as an opener and captain, without a shadow of doubt. Since the start of the 2023 ODI World Cup, he has played 14 innings and scored 754 runs at an average of 54, with a century, five half-centuries, and a strike rate of nearly 130,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Chopra also chose Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as opening batsman alternatives. He acknowledged Gill's recent slump in performance while pressing for Jaiswal's inclusion in the squad.
“Shubman Gill's numbers have not been that good. Since the start of the World Cup, he has played 12 innings, has an average of 37.4, hasn't scored a century, has five half-centuries, and 411 runs in total. Not good enough. Therefore, there is a case for Yashasvi Jaiswal. Whether he will be there in the XI or not, he should be in the team,” he elaborated.
“After that, Virat Kohli, there is no doubt about that. He has scored his runs at an average of 74 in 14 innings and has scored three centuries. Although he didn't score runs in Sri Lanka, he still has an average of 74. Imagine how his World Cup would have been,” Chopra added.
Hardik Pandya was the sole pace all-rounder in Chopra’s India squad. Chopra pointed out Pandya's recent participation in the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophies.
“Hardik Pandya has to be in the team, there is no doubt about that. He is playing the Vijay Hazare and played the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well. He has played a lot of cricket because the question was that he doesn't play.
After that, I feel both Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel will be a part of the team. Axar Patel got injured (before the World Cup). His luck is so bad that they might take Nitish Kumar Reddy in his place,” Chopra observed.
Chopra advocated for the inclusion of three spinners—Jadeja, Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav—despite potential pitch conditions in Dubai.
“However, I am saying keep three spinners after Hardik Pandya—Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. I will definitely keep three spinners although there will be a slight problem in Dubai. It will be slightly cold, and there will be a little moisture. So spin might not be used that much, but I still request you to take all three,” he added.
Coming to the pacers, Chopra opted for Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh.
Aakash Chopra’s India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh
