Akash Chopraformer Indian cricketer and noted commentator grabbed the headlines with his bold predictions about India’s upcoming team. Champions Cup. Scheduled to start on February 19, 2025, the prestigious tournament marks a significant comeback after an eight-year hiatus.
Chopra’s choices have sparked debate, particularly with the exclusion of prominent players such as Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson.
With the exception of Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson
In a recent YouTube video, Chopra explained why she left Suryakumar Yadav, popularly known as SKY. He noted that Suryakumar has not featured in One Day Internationals (ODIs) in recent times and has struggled to make an impact in international competitions. Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25failing to score significant runs.
“I feel that Suryakumar Yadav will not be a part of this team. He doesn’t actually play ODIs and he hasn’t scored against Vijay Hazare either.” Chopra said. Similarly, he pointed out that Sanju Samson has not played more than 50 matches, further reducing his chances of selection.
A strong case from Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya
However, he is optimistic about Chopra’s inclusion Shreyas Iyerthe person he believes in is in exceptional form. “Suryakumar Yadav is gone, but Shreyas Iyer is there. Since the start of the World Cup, he has scored 620 runs in 15 innings, with two centuries, 112 and a strike rate of 52. It’s burning.” Chopra pointed out that Iyer’s consistent performance was a key factor in his selection.
Another important name in Chopra’s projected lineup is the all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Acknowledging Pandya’s recent performances in domestic cricket, Chopra said the Baroda-lad’s presence was crucial for the team’s balance and depth.
“Hardik Pandya should be in the team, no doubt about it. He plays Vijay Hazare and also plays Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. “He played a lot of cricket because the question was whether he should play.” noted.
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Champions Cup 2025 context
The Champions Trophy holds a lot of importance for India, especially after failing to reach the finals of the ICC World Test Championship 2025. The Indian team management is under pressure to reassess its strategy and performance after a string of underwhelming results, including the last round. to Australia where they face tough competition. The tournament will see India compete against other top cricketing nations and the selectors are expected to finalize their squad shortly. The deadline to confirm provisional squads is set for January 12, and teams will be given some flexibility until February 13 to make adjustments.
Aakash Chopra’s Indian Squad Prediction for Champions Trophy 2025
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Singh, Arshdeep.
