Suresh Raina selected India’s playing XI for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, leaving seasoned cricketers Mohammed Shami and KL Rahul on the bench. During the recently finished series against England, both players were unable to contribute significantly for various reasons.
In the first two games, Rahul was dropped to No. 6 in the batting order by the team management, and he only scored 12 runs overall. The wicketkeeper-batter was elevated to No. 5 for the third ODI, and he had a strong cameo of 40 off 29 balls. While Shami was rested in the third ODI, he played in the first two. He took two wickets at an economy rate of 6.57 and an average of 52. After a lengthy injury hiatus, the 34-year-old did, however, play in an ODI series. With additional match practice, experts think he will regain his flow.
Raina, however, made the decision to exclude them from his starting lineup. Two additional players, Varun Chakaravarthy and Washington Sundar, were unable to secure positions on the team.
Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rohit Sharma (C), and Rishabh Pant (WK) are the players whom Suresh Raina has projected to start.
It will be crucial to have Kuldeep Yadav: Suresh Raina
Given his capacity to generate pressure and take wickets, Raina, a member of the Indian team that won the Champions Trophy in 2013, predicted that Kuldeep Yadav will be crucial.
Because Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja bowl well in the middle overs, containing from stump to stump, Kuldeep Yadav will be crucial. He can then add his unique spin, especially when facing Pakistan, who excel at the sweep stroke.Left-handers are common in New Zealand. “Kuldeep’s ability to generate pressure and compel batters to take big shots can result in wickets,” Raina stated on Star Sports.
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