Harsha Bhogle Picks His India Squad For The Champions Trophy 2025; No Place For Jasprit Bumrah

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to kick off on February 19, with Pakistan and Dubai co-hosting the marquee tournament. However, due to geopolitical tensions, India will play all their matches in the UAE, starting with their opening clash against Bangladesh on February 20. With excitement building and speculations surrounding the official squad announcement, cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle has stirred discussions by unveiling his picks for the tournament on his YouTube channel.

Bhogle, known for his sharp insights and candid analysis, made waves with a surprising decision—leaving out Jasprit Bumrah, India’s premier pacer. Here’s a deep dive into Harsha Bhogle’s predicted squad and his rationale behind the selections.

Harsha Bhogle’s Bold Call on Jasprit Bumrah

One of the most talked-about decisions in Bhogle’s prediction was his exclusion of Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, who recently sustained an injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, is a doubtful starter for the Champions Trophy.

“Let me outline my assumptions and starting point. I will assume that two of India’s premier bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, may not be available due to injuries. If they are fit, fantastic,” Bhogle clarified.

This cautious approach reflects Bhogle’s emphasis on fielding a fully fit squad, given the tournament’s demanding nature and the conditions in the UAE.

Batting Line-Up: Openers and Middle Order

The Trusted Opening Pair

Harsha Bhogle identified Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as India’s preferred opening duo. With over 70-run partnerships in 25+ innings, their chemistry and reliability make them the backbone of India’s top order.

Additionally, Bhogle named Yashasvi Jaiswal as a backup opener, praising his left-handed versatility, which could be particularly useful in conditions favoring slower bowling.

Middle-Order Stability

In the middle order, Bhogle’s first pick was Virat Kohli, a no-brainer given his consistency and ability to anchor innings under pressure. Joining Kohli is Shreyas Iyer, whose performances in the 2023 World Cup and Vijay Hazare Trophy underline his ability to stabilize and accelerate the innings when needed.

Bhogle expressed confidence that this combination provides a reliable core for the batting line-up, with the flexibility to adapt to various match situations.

Wicketkeeping and All-Round Options

Dual Wicketkeeping Choices

Bhogle pointed out India’s wealth of options in the wicketkeeping department. His first choice was KL Rahul, provided he remains fit. Rahul’s ability to keep wickets while contributing significantly with the bat makes him an invaluable asset.

The backup option is Rishabh Pant, whose return to domestic cricket has been marked by stellar performances. Pant’s explosive batting style and his ability to counter-attack make him an excellent choice for the middle order.

Hardik Pandya: The Backbone of Balance

At number six, Hardik Pandya is Bhogle’s go-to all-rounder. Pandya’s ability to bowl six to seven overs consistently, combined with his destructive batting, provides crucial balance to the team. Bhogle highlighted Pandya’s recent form in T20Is and the Vijay Hazare Trophy as proof of his indispensability.

Bowling Attack: Seamers and Spinners

Seam Department

With Jasprit Bumrah likely unavailable, Bhogle opted for a trio of Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh to lead India’s pace attack.

Mohammed Shami: Bhogle praised Shami’s control and experience, which will be vital in high-pressure games.
Mohammed Siraj: Siraj’s consistent performances in white-ball cricket earned him a spot. His ability to strike early and contain runs at the death makes him a versatile option.
Arshdeep Singh: Bhogle included Arshdeep for his left-arm angle and proven death-bowling skills, which add variety to India’s attack.

Spin Department

For the spin attack, Bhogle went with three finger spinners:

Kuldeep Yadav: Kuldeep’s recent resurgence in white-ball cricket and his ability to turn games with crucial breakthroughs make him a must-pick.
Ravindra Jadeja: Jadeja’s all-round contributions, including his dependable batting, sharp fielding, and economical bowling, ensure his place in the XI.
Washington Sundar: Sundar’s ability to bowl in the powerplay and his batting prowess give India added depth and flexibility.

Bhogle justified this spin-heavy approach by emphasizing the spin-friendly UAE conditions, which will likely play a significant role in the tournament.

The 15th Spot and Standby Players

Varun Chakravarthy: The X-Factor

The final spot in Bhogle’s squad went to Varun Chakravarthy, whose mystery spin could be a game-changer on UAE pitches. Bhogle noted Chakravarthy’s track record in ODIs and T20s, particularly in conditions favoring spinners, as the reason for his inclusion.

Standby Players

Bhogle identified four standby players who could step in if needed:

Ravi Bishnoi: A promising young leg-spinner with a knack for taking wickets.
Nitin Kumar Reddy: A rising finisher who has shown potential in domestic cricket.
Umran Malik: A tearaway pacer who brings raw pace to the attack, useful in bouncy conditions.
Karun Nair: A dependable batter who offers flexibility in the middle order.

These players provide depth and ensure India has cover for injuries or unexpected changes in form.

Harsha Bhogle’s Predicted Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma (C)
Shubman Gill
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul (WK)
Rishabh Pant (WK)
Hardik Pandya
Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Siraj
Arshdeep Singh
Kuldeep Yadav
Ravindra Jadeja
Washington Sundar
Varun Chakravarthy

Standby Players: Ravi Bishnoi, Nitin Kumar Reddy, Umran Malik, Karun Nair.

A Balanced and Versatile Squad

Harsha Bhogle’s predicted squad strikes a fine balance between experience and youth. While the absence of Jasprit Bumrah is a setback, Bhogle’s choices ensure India has a robust bowling attack, a dependable batting line-up, and versatile all-rounders.

The inclusion of players like Varun Chakravarthy and Yashasvi Jaiswal highlights Bhogle’s faith in fresh talent to step up in crucial moments. With the Champions Trophy set to begin in less than two months, all eyes will be on the official squad announcement. If Bhogle’s predictions hold true, India will head into the tournament with a team capable of challenging the best in the world.

Will this squad be enough to secure India’s third Champions Trophy title? Only time will tell, but Harsha Bhogle’s selections certainly spark optimism and excitement among fans.

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