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Gill backed the team’s selection, stating Nair’s incredible showing in the domestic campaign does not mean that players in the current squad are to be dropped and opined that constant alterations of the unit might affect continuity.
Shubman Gill. (X)
With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 looming large on the horizon, Team India look to add to their trophy cabinet. Indian batter Rohit Sharma, who led the men in blue to the title at the T20I World Cup will once again helm the unit in search of CT glory. Promising batter Shubman Gill was named the vice-captain for the upcoming tournament in a huge show of confidence in the batter’s abilities.
However, a big miss from the squad that was also put under the scanner was the non-selection of Karun Nair, who scored an astounding 779 runs in a mere eight innings at an astronomical average of 389.50. Nair wasn’t included in the Indian squad for the ODI series against England either, despite his magnificent displays with the willow for Vidharba.
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Gill defended the team’s selection, stating Nair’s incredible showing in the domestic campaign does not mean that players in the current squad are to be dropped.
“Karun had a great Vijay Hazare Trophy, but that doesn’t mean the current players should be dropped,” Gill said.
“They have also performed well to reach this stage,” he continued.
Gill backed his statements with India’s records at recent ICC events as the men in blue reached the final of the ODI World Cup before falling in the final hurdle before clinching the T20I WC unbeaten.
“We have lost only one game in the World Cups,” the 25-year-old said.
Gill added that ensuring continuity was key to building a strong unit and constant changes to the side could have an impact on the same.
“The players in the squad have contributed significantly, and while it’s unfortunate for those excelling in domestic cricket who weren’t picked, constant chopping and changing will affect players’ confidence,” the top-order batter added.
“Without continuity, we can never build a strong team,” he added.
Team India squad for Champions Trophy:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.
