Another Blunder? Team India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Squad Raises Serious Questions – Siraj Snubbed, Shami Unfit, and Gambhir’s Alleged Favoritism!
Is This India’s Most Imbalanced ICC Squad in Years? A Recipe for Disaster?
The BCCI’s squad selection for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has shocked Indian cricket fans and experts alike. With Jasprit Bumrah ruled out due to injury, Mohammed Siraj left out of the main squad, an unfit Mohammed Shami included, and Arshdeep Singh’s uncertain role, India’s bowling attack looks highly questionable.
🚨 Key Questions That Need Answers:
❓Jasprit Bumrah ruled out – But is Harshit Rana the right replacement?
❓Mohammed Siraj left out – India ignoring its best pacer?
❓Mohammed Shami is NOT fully fit – Who will lead India’s pace attack?
❓Arshdeep Singh’s inclusion uncertain – Another selection disaster?
❓Are spinners going to work in Dubai when pacers thrive?
❓Gautam Gambhir’s influence – KKR players getting unfair preference?
❓Is this a “Give-and-Take” squad rather than a performance-based selection?
With a tough group featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, does India have the right squad balance to go all the way? Or are we heading for another selection disaster?
Bumrah Out – But Harshit Rana Over Siraj? Another Selection Blunder?
India’s biggest blow came when Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out due to a lower back injury, but the real shock was the selection of Harshit Rana over Mohammed Siraj.
Why is this a controversial decision?
✅ Harshit Rana has barely played any international cricket.
✅ Siraj, India’s best ODI pacer in recent years, is only a standby.
✅ India now lacks an experienced new-ball bowler.
Mohammed Siraj’s ODI Stats in 2023-24:
- Matches: 19
- Wickets: 33
- Economy: 4.72
- Best Figures: 6/21 vs Sri Lanka (Asia Cup Final 2023)
Siraj was India’s match-winner in the Asia Cup final but is now in the reserves? How does that make sense?
Is this selection based on IPL bias rather than proven international success?
Mohammed Shami Is NOT Fully Fit – Who Will Lead India’s Bowling Attack?
The biggest red flag:
- Mohammed Shami has been named in the squad despite not being fully fit.
- If Shami cannot bowl at full intensity, who will open the bowling for India?
- India now has only ONE experienced pacer, Shami, who is struggling with fitness.
With no clear leader of the pace attack, can India’s fast bowlers handle high-pressure games?
Arshdeep Singh’s Uncertain Role – Is This Another Selection Disaster?
Another questionable inclusion is Arshdeep Singh, who has rarely been India’s first-choice pacer in ODIs.
📌 Arshdeep in ODIs (Career Stats):
- Matches: 10
- Wickets: 11
- Economy: 5.79
- Best Figures: 3/32
🔍 Concerns with Arshdeep’s selection:
✅ More suited for T20s, not ODIs.
✅ Does not have the pace of Bumrah or Siraj.
✅ Hasn’t played in pressure ODI games.
Will he even be in the playing XI? Or is this just a filler selection?
Spin-Heavy Attack in Dubai – Did India Forget the Pitch Conditions?
The Dubai pitch report suggests that fast bowlers dominate early in ODIs, yet India has packed the squad with spinners.
India’s Overloaded Spin Department:
- Kuldeep Yadav (wrist-spinner)
- Ravindra Jadeja (left-arm orthodox)
- Axar Patel (left-arm orthodox)
- Washington Sundar (off-spinner)
- Varun Chakaravarthy (mystery spinner)
📌 Reality Check:
- Dubai historically favors seamers in the first 10-15 overs.
- Spinners play a role in the middle overs, but not at the start.
- Why pick five spinners but not have a strong pace attack?
This same mistake cost India in past ICC events – are we repeating history?
Gautam Gambhir’s Influence – KKR Players Getting Preferential Treatment?
One of the biggest talking points is whether Gautam Gambhir’s influence is leading to favoritism for KKR players.
🚨 Suspicious Selections:
- Harshit Rana (KKR pacer) replaces Bumrah.
- Varun Chakaravarthy (KKR spinner) replaces Yashasvi Jaiswal.
- Shivam Dube (a strong performer) left out.
📌 Why is Jaiswal dropped despite being in top ODI form?
📌 Why is Shivam Dube, who has been explosive in recent matches, not in the squad?
Is India’s team selection being influenced by IPL links rather than performance?
India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Fixtures – Can They Survive with This Squad?
📍 Group A – India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh
📅 February 20 – 🇮🇳 India vs Bangladesh (Dubai)
📅 February 23 – 🇮🇳 India vs Pakistan (Dubai)
📅 March 2 – 🇮🇳 India vs New Zealand (Dubai)
With Pakistan and New Zealand boasting strong fast-bowling attacks, does India have the right squad balance to counter them?
India’s Final Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
| Player | Role |
| 🇮🇳 Rohit Sharma (C) | Opening Batter |
| 🇮🇳 Shubman Gill (VC) | Opening Batter |
| 🇮🇳 Virat Kohli | Middle-order Batter |
| 🇮🇳 Shreyas Iyer | Middle-order Batter |
| 🇮🇳 KL Rahul | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 🇮🇳 Rishabh Pant | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 🇮🇳 Hardik Pandya | All-rounder |
| 🇮🇳 Axar Patel | All-rounder |
| 🇮🇳 Washington Sundar | All-rounder |
| 🇮🇳 Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder |
| 🇮🇳 Kuldeep Yadav | Spinner |
| 🇮🇳 Varun Chakaravarthy | Mystery Spinner |
| 🇮🇳 Harshit Rana | Fast Bowler |
| 🇮🇳 Mohammed Shami | Fast Bowler |
| 🇮🇳 Arshdeep Singh | Fast Bowler |
Non-Travelling Standby Players:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (Batter, Should Be in Main Squad)
- Mohammed Siraj (Top Pacer, Unfairly Left Out)
- Shivam Dube (Big-Hitter, Ignored Again)
Final Verdict – Are We Heading for Another ICC Disaster?
🚨 Major Red Flags:
- No experienced new-ball bowler.
- Shami’s fitness is uncertain.
- Siraj unfairly dropped.
- Spin-heavy attack for a pace-friendly Dubai pitch.
- Possible favoritism in selection.
Is this India’s most unbalanced ICC squad in years? Will this backfire? Drop your thoughts below!
