ICC Champions Trophy 2025- Yashasvi Jaiswal fiasco puzzles ex-India cricketer, selectors rammed

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra opened up about Yashasvi Jaiswal's exclusion from the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Chopra also questioned the team management and criticized the selectors for dropping Yashasvi Jaiswal after just one failure in his debut match against England.

On Tuesday, February 12, the BCCI revealed the final squad for the Champions Trophy, set to be held in Pakistan and the UAE. Rohit Sharma will captain the side, with Shubman Gill as his deputy. However, some of the selections have sparked debate and raised questions among cricket experts and fans.

Jasprit Bumrah, Yashasvi Jaiswal Excluded from India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Squad

The selection committee has made a few changes to their provisional squad. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was initially selected as a backup opener, was dropped after a poor performance in the first match against England. Yashasvi Jaiswal opened with Rohit Sharma in the first ODI and scored just 15 runs off 22 balls.

Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the tournament due to a lower back injury sustained during the BGT. Harshit Rana has been called up as a replacement. Varun Chakravarthy has replaced Jaiswal in the final squad. Mohammed Siraj is placed in the non-traveling reserves alongside Jaiswal and Shivam Dube.

The Plan to Play Yashasvi Jaiswal in the XI Ahead of Shreyas Iyer Is Abandoned - Aakash Chopra

Following the squad announcement, Aakash Chopra pointed out how quickly the plan to include Yashasvi Jaiswal in the playing XI, ahead of Shreyas Iyer, was abandoned. He stated that Jaiswal is no longer part of the final squad for the tournament. Chopra said that he expected Mohammed Siraj to replace Jasprit Bumrah.

"I thought Bumrah’s absence will force selectors to pick Siraj. Have 4 pacers in the squad. It’s also interesting to note how quickly the plan to play Yashasvi in the XI ahead of Iyer is abandoned…to the extent that Yashasvi isn’t even a part of the CT squad," Aakash Chopra wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

I thought Bumrah’s absence will force selectors to pick Siraj. Have 4 pacers in the squad.
It’s also interesting to note how quickly the plan to play Yashasvi in the XI ahead of Iyer is abandoned…to the extent that Yashasvi isn’t even a part of the CT squad.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 12, 2025

I Really Hope That Kuldeep Yadav Isn’t Benched for Varun Chakravarthy - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra questioned the decision to pick five spinners, adding that it would work well in venues like Sharjah but may not be effective in Dubai. Chopra stated that Kuldeep Yadav should remain India’s premier spinner for the event. He also urged not to bench Kuldeep for Varun Chakravarthy.

"India has picked 5 spinners for the Champions Trophy. FIVE. Sharjah would be an ideal venue for this squad. Spin To Win. Dubai?? Not so sure. That surface hasn’t helped spinners as much...ever. Also, I really hope that Kuldeep isn’t benched for Varun. Play both if you must...but Kuldeep has to be India’s premier spinner," said Chopra.

India has picked 5 spinners for Champions Trophy. FIVE.
Sharjah would be an ideal venue for this squad. Spin To Win.
Dubai?? Not so sure. That surface hasn’t helped spinners as much…ever.
Also, I really hope that Kuldeep isn’t benched for Varun. Play both if you must…but…

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 12, 2025

Kuldeep Yadav took 15 wickets in 11 matches during the 2023 ODI World Cup, finishing as India's fourth-highest wicket-taker. The left-arm wrist spinner continued his stellar form in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he claimed 10 wickets in 5 matches. He was the fourth-highest wicket-taker for Team India.

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