ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rishabh Pant told to warm bench as Aakash Chopra picks India XI for BAN clash

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has named his Indian XI for the first game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh. The cricketer-turned-commentator didn't back new entrants in Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy to make it into the first XI.

According to Aakash Chopra, skipper Rohit Sharma and deputy Shubman Gill will be opening the innings for the team in the first match against Bangladesh. Both Rohit and Gill looked solid in the ODI series against England and helped the team win by the margin of 3-0.

While Rohit Sharma slammed a century in the second ODI, Shubman Gill hit two fifties and one century in the series. He was awarded the Player of the Series for his heroics and would be keen to carry on his good form.

Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul to bat at No.3, No.4 and No.5 in Aakash Chopra's playing XI

At No.3, Aakash Chopra backed Virat Kohli to bat. The right-hander slammed a solid half-century in the last ODI while Shreyas Iyer will be there at No.4. The middle-order batter looked in solid form in the last series as he slammed two half-centuries and also was seen playing short ball with ease.

KL Rahul got the backing of Aakash Chopra as a keeper-batter in the team for the first game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Even though he didn't have a great outing in the England series, head coach Gautam Gambhir openly mentioned that Rishabh Pant will have to wait to get an opportunity.

Hardik Pandya, along with Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, will be the three all-rounders that India will be playing in the first game against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, Aakash Chopra mentioned that there won't be any fixed batting order for the trio as it will depend on the situation.

Kuldeep Yadav will be picked ahead of Varun Chakravarthy in the playing XI according to Aakash Chopra

Kuldeep Yadav will be picked ahead of Varun Chakravarthy in the playing XI, according to Aakash Chopra. Chakravarthy was recently added to the Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad. He made his debut in the second ODI against England and played ahead of Kuldeep Yadav.

Aakash Chopra went in with just two fast bowlers in Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh, leaving out Harshit Rana. The KKR pacer was added to the team as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a back injury.

Rana played all three games in the England series and was preferred ahead of Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm pacer played the last match, and him getting just one game came as a surprise because he was picked ahead of Mohammed Siraj in the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Aakash Chopra names his India XI for the first game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Bangladesh:

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh

The competition is do-or-die, and the stakes couldn’t be higher! Here’s @cricketaakash's playing XI for India's first match against Bangladesh of the #ChampionsTrophy 🤩#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar STARTS WED 19 FEB, 1:30 PM on Star Sports and Sports18

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