Unpopular Opinion: With a number of decisions for XI spots, India will wrestle to get excellent staff

Why wasn’t Rishabh Pant picked in India’s XI in the Nagpur ODI, and why was KL Rahul picked? Why didn’t Varun Chakravarthy play in the match, after being drafted into the squad? Why didn’t Arshdeep Singh as the second pacer? These questions might change after the second ODI, and subsequently, after the third ODI, and will continue to change after each match in the Champions Trophy 2025. But the fact of the matter is, Team India can never achieve a perfect XI.

There is just so many players in line to replace every player — from No. 1 to No. 11, that it is just impossible to get that ‘perfect XI’.

Opening Slot Battle Between Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal & Shubman Gill

Rohit Sharma for now is the only fixed opener in the ODIs, being the skipper of the team. And now the selection comes between Jaiswal and Gill. Even though Jaiswal failed in his only 50-over match, he has an excellent List A career, where he has scored 1526 runs at an average of 53. In comparison, Shubman is an ODI giant having scored 2415 runs at an average of 59. There is a certain Sanju Samson too, who can come in any time and take over — and has an average of 56 in the format.

Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant Headache

After scoring 36-ball 59, Shreyas Iyer revealed, he wasn’t slated to play in the first ODI.. but was included only after Virat Kohli injured his knee. This is a player who has scored 2480 runs at an average of 48 in the format, and isn’t a permanent in the side. If India want to go with Jaiswal at the top, then Shubman again comes in at 4, and Shreyas misses out..

Even bigger headache, come the Champions Trophy, for India would be — who to leave out between Rahul and Pant? The former has 2853 runs against his name at an average of 48. On the other hand, Pant brings in the X-factor in any team, and is just an explosive batter, who can change the match alone. He has scored 871 runs in his career, and is good for much more.

Spin Options Galore

Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav — who do you play, and who do you leave out? While other teams have only 1-2 two frontline spinners, India has the cushion of five. Axar has 65 wickets in 61 matches, and his USP is containing runs. He is an excellent batter, and is numbers are constantly improving.

Jadeja is a proven performer, has picked up 223 wickets, is a gun fielder, and an equally good batter. Washington is relatively new, contains runs, can score freely – and is in the same mould as the other two. As for the wrist spinners – Kuldeep is on his way to attaining ‘legend’ status, having picked up 173 wickets. Chakravarthy though, despite not playing any ODI, is special, and has a stellar LIST A career, where in 23 matches he has 59 wickets.

Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh a Handful in White-ball Formats

There is no doubt that Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are the best Indian bowlers.. but are sort of struggling with issues. So, let us just assume that they won’t be available for the Champions Trophy, there would be hardly anything to worry about for India. Harshit Rana with his 150 kmph speed, and wicket-taking ability has shown, that he can be India’s next all-format bowler.

Arshdeep Singh, who has 53 wickets in 32 LIST A matches, isn’t a regular in the ODIs, but has the cool head on his shoulders to be the spearhead too. This, when Mohammed Siraj — a former World no. 1 isn’t being talked about at all. In short, India is spoiled for choices, but then it will only be increasingly tough on the coach and the captain to come up with a perfect XI.

India Squad for Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.