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Harbhajan SinghOne of India’s most famous off-spinners shares his thoughts on Team India ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Might look like that.
Harbhajan Singh’s thoughts on India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad
Harbhajan said the squad selection should balance youth and experience, keeping in mind the challenges of the ICC tournament and Inter Milan’s conditions. Pakistanwhere the competition is held. Harbhajan’s remarks come amid a flurry of discussions over India’s recent performance and potential reforms to the squad.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he stressed that emotional decisions, such as dropping senior players, e.g. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohlishould be avoided, especially given their importance in high-pressure matches. Instead, he advocated a thoughtful, well-planned approach to ensure India fielded a strong team for the World Cup.
Verdict on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Harbhajan firmly supported Rohit to lead the team to win the Champions League trophy. He believes Rohit’s experience and calm demeanor will be crucial in handling the pressure of the ICC tournament. Despite calls from some for a transition to younger leaders, Harbhajan insists Rohit remains the best choice to captain India. He has a proven track record in ICC events and bilateral series and his understanding of the nuances of the game is invaluable in crucial situations.
While discussing Kohli, Harbhajan made his support for the former captain clear. He dismissed any idea of ditching Kohli, calling it ‘Emotional and baseless argument’ Kohli’s experience, consistency and ability to perform under pressure make him an integral part of the team. Harbhajan pointed out that Kohli has performed well in crucial matches across formats and remains one of the team’s most reliable players. Removing someone of his caliber, especially for a tournament as important as the Champions League, would be a serious mistake.
Indian team is full of youth and vitality
Harbhajan stressed the need for an injection while retaining experienced players. He emphasized Yashasvi Jaiswal Being the perfect candidate to take up the vacant position alongside Rohit. Jaiswal excelled in domestic and international cricket Indian Premier League (IPL)Harbhajan feels that now is the best time to integrate him into the ODI system. Similarly, Tilak Varmawho impressed in the T20 series South Africais another young talent that Harbhajan hopes to see in the team. Tilak’s maturity and fearless attitude make him a promising mid-order option.
Goalkeeper choice: Rishabh Pant or Sanju Samson?
For the middle-order position, Harbhajan believes Shreyas Iyer and Sanzhou Samson. Shrias performed well in the World Cup and scored a crucial goal for the team. Despite some difficulties in recent games, Harbhajan is confident in his ability to bounce back and play a key role in the Champions Trophy. When it comes to the role of wicketkeeper-batsman, Harbhajan prefers Sanzhou Samson Exceed Ritha Pant Because of his consistency in recent games. He acknowledges Pant’s ability but feels Samson’s current form deserves a place in the XI.
Also read: Aakash Chopra picks India squad for Champions Trophy 2025; no place for Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson
The comprehensive strength of the men in blue
Harbhajan is well aware of the importance of an all-rounder in an event like the Champions Trophy. Hardik Pandya, With his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, Harbhajan was a natural choice. He also gave an advantage Axar Patel Exceed Ravindra Jadejaciting Aksa’s recent performance and growth as a player. Harbhajan noted that Axar is now ready to take over the role that Jadeja has played over the years, making him a valuable asset in both the batting and bowling departments.
Reliable bowling attack
On the bowling front, Harbhajan emphasized the need for a strong and versatile attack. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami They are his leading pacers given their experience and ability in high-pressure situations. Mohammed Siraj Harbhajan has also won over, especially after his solid performances in recent games.
Kuldeep Yadav Harbhajan’s favorite spinner, the veteran spinner praised Kuldeep for his resurgence and efficiency in ODI cricket. To round out the spin department, Harbhajan also comes on board Yuzvendra Chahalchampioning the emergence of quality leg spinners in subcontinental conditions.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s role
Harbhajan also talked about Nitish Kumar Reddy, a relatively new name in Indian cricket. He believes Nitish’s performance in domestic cricket and his potential as an all-rounder make him a good addition to the team. While Nitish may not be a household name yet, Harbhajan feels that exposing these young players to big games could benefit the team in the long run.
Why some big names may be missing out
Harbhajan admitted that his squad selection meant excluding some notable players. For example, Kuala Lumpur RahulDespite his experience, he may have to give way Shubman Gillhis current form and consistency make him a better option. Jadeja, the stalwart of Indian cricket, may also be missing due to the rise of Patel. Other players like Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Riyan Parag, Rajat Patidar and Sai SudarsanDespite their talent, they may find themselves on the fringes due to fierce competition for seats.
