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Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar will be announcing India’s squads for the three-match ODI series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Jasprit Bumrah (Image: jaspritb1/Instagram)
The selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, will convene in Mumbai on Saturday to pick India’s squad for the Champions Trophy, and they will have to deal with the tricky scenario surrounding the fitness of premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah had suffered back spasms during the recent Sydney Test against Australia and did not bowl on the final day at SCG.
He has been advised “off-loading” and his fitness is being monitored closely by the physios at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
So, Agarkar and his colleagues along with head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Rohit Sharma will ponder deeply over Bumrah’s fitness status before taking a final call on his inclusion.
A clarity over the vexed scenario will be given once Agarkar and Rohit address a press conference post the selection committee meeting.
Rohit To Continue As ODI Captain
That Rohit attending the press do is also the clearest indication of him retaining the captaincy in the ODIs, despite swirling speculations about his future in Test cricket after a dismal tour to Australia.
In an Instagram video, the 37-year-old was seen playing his signature shots, including flicks, drives, lofted hits, and pulls against the white ball during a training session here.
Where To Fit Yashasvi Jaiswal?
Then there has also been a clamour from all corners to include Yashasvi Jaiswal in the squad.
The 23-year-old is in fine form right now, and he will also offer the left-hand variety at the top, reasons listed in favour of his selection.
But Jaiswal’s selection could put him in direct competition with KL Rahul as Rohit, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are certainties as India’s top four.
With Virat Kohli certain to bat at three, the selectors might have a long discussion on the middle and lower-order make-up.
KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer were the mainstays during the 2023 ODI World Cup in the middle-order, and with three matches against England being the only games before the Champions Trophy, a reunion of the two looks set.
So, if you need Jaiswal too in the squad then it’s a tough proposition for the selectors.
It could also be that Jaiswal will be given a chance against England in the three-match ODI series, and prefer Rahul for the ICC event.
The squad for the rubber against England too will be picked on Saturday.
Rishabh Pant Automatic Choice With Sanju Samson Axed
The primary wicketkeeper batter slot could be allotted to Rishabh Pant as Sanju Samson skipping the Vijay Hazare Trophy has not gone down well with the powers that be.
Dhruv Jurel could come into picture in that scenario as second stumper.
Karun Nair In And/Or Out?
A discussion is likely to be on Karun Nair, who is leading the Vijay Hazare Trophy run-charts with 752 runs and will play Saturday’s final for Vidarbha against his former side Karnataka. The selection committee is also likely to see if Hardik Pandya is included and brings the much-needed balance to the side, based on his performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Senior pacer Mohammed Shami will be in the squad given that he has has played most of the domestic matches, and has also been drafted into India’s squad for the five-match home T20I series against England.
Questions Over Kuldeep
The selectors will also seek clarity on star wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s fitness, as he has been recuperating from a long-standing groin injury.
In terms of the spin department, apart from Kuldeep’s fitness, who between Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Axar Patel makes the cut is to be seen, with Varun Chakaravarthy having an outside chance too.
Kuldeep had shared videos of him bowling in his social media accounts, and that might be counted as a good sign ahead of the selection meeting.
For the fast-bowling department, someone like Arshdeep Singh or Prasidh Krishna can be included alongside Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami, especially if Bumrah is unavailable. Other fast-bowling options available are Mukesh Kumar, Harshit Rana and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.
(With inputs from Agencies)
