ICC Champions Trophy 2025: UAE coach attacks Gambhir, Agarkar; Slams India’s 5-spinners strategy

Former India coach Lalchand Rajput was surprised by the move of the India National Cricket Team to pick five spinners in their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He pointed out that conditions in UAE will favor seamers as there is still winter in the country.

India National Cricket Team surprised many with their squad selection for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The initial team that was picked had 4 spinners and just three seamers, and it raised many eyebrows as to why the Rohit Sharma-led side was taking along 4 spinners for tracks that would be helpful for pacers.

However, to make things more confusing, the India National Cricket Team added one more spinner to the squad after Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out. While the fast bowler was replaced by Harshit Rana, Yashasvi Jaiswal was omitted from the team, and Varun Chakravarthy was added to the side.

With his addition, India now have 5 spinners in Varun, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar. The move was criticized a lot by many fans and experts as they expressed their concerns, saying that the decision might backfire.

I found it a bit surprising that India has picked five spinners in their squad - Lalchand Rajput on the Indian squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Lalchand Rajput, who spent a significant amount of time in UAE as a coach, feels that wickets will have good carry and will help seamers. He pointed out Pakistan might opt for a seamer-friendly surface or a flat track, and it will help them negate India's bowling attack. Speaking to the Times of India, he said:

"It's still winter in the UAE. It's that time of the year when there is still some help for the fast bowlers on the wickets here, and there is good carry. I found it a bit surprising that India has picked five spinners in their squad. If you saw the final of the recently-held edition of ILT20 between Desert Vipers and Dubai Capitals, 380 runs were scored in that match. Remember that Pakistan is the host of the tournament.

"With India not having Jasprit Bumrah, Pakistan may opt for a seamer-friendly surface or a flat track. In their last league match of the recently-concluded Tri-Series at home, Pakistan chased down 353, with Mohammed Rizwan and Salman Agha both scoring centuries. It means that their batsmen are in good nick and they may prefer a flat track at Dubai that will negate India's attack, already missing Bumrah, further."

He could be India's 'X-factor' in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 - Lalchand Rajput on Varun Chakravarthy

Lalchand Rajput also shared his take on the selection of Varun Chakravarthy, saying that he could be India's 'X-factor' in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He feels that the spinner might trouble Pakistan batters. He added:

"Varun is bowling superbly at the moment. He could be India's 'X-factor' in the tournament. Pakistan, especially, may find it difficult to tackle him, since their batters don't play in the IPL. He's now a completely different and a far better bowler than when he made his debut for India in the T20 World Cup in Dubai."

India are the hot favourites for the tournament - Lalchand Rajput

Lalchand Rajput also concluded by saying that India are hot favorites to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He pointed out how batters are in good form, which will be a plus for India. He elaborated:

"India are the hot favourites for the tournament. Their batting is coming along nicely. The century against England would have given a lot of confidence to Rohit. Virat Kohli also scored a fifty in that series, and Shubman Gill and Shreyas lyer are in sublime form."

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