Champions Trophy puzzles: Will selectors give Yashasvi Jaiswal maiden ODI call-up? Will Suryakumar Yadav find a return route? Is Ravindra Jadeja’s time up? | Cricket News

Their spots in the Test team for the tour of England later may be under a shadow of doubt, but when the selection panel headed Ajit Agarkar pick the squad for the Champions Trophy on Friday, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be certainties. While the inclusion of the duo is a straight-forward call in the format where India are seeking their first trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy, there are plenty of deliberations over other slots with ace spinner Kuldeep Yadav far from certain for the tournament that begins on February 19.After a hectic tour to Australia, India have a fortnight’s break before the five-match T20Is against England followed the three ODIs, which will be a precursor to the Champions Trophy. With India set to play all their matches in Dubai, they have a clear-cut edge over others in terms of the familiarity with the conditions. However, the big difference this time is they are playing in February and March, a period which is late-winter months, which means the pitches may not be slow and dry.
So India are pondering their options. Apart from Kuldeep’s availability, India are also awaiting the fitness report of Jasprit Bumrah, their undisputed X-factor. Here is a role-wise breakdown of the contenders.
Openers: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal
Given his recent form, Jaiswal is certain to get a call-up and could make his debut during the ODIs against England. It means Gill, who has been a key-figure in this format, may end up losing his spot to the left-hander. The other option is to make Gill play at No 3, but that would mean India have to push their greatest No 3 to the middle-order, which the selectors might not ideally prefer. With three openers set to be part of the squad, Gill seems a certainty, but whether he remains a guaranteed starter is the question.
In the fray: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh
If India want to give Gill a break, then they may look at one of these players. Gaikwad seems a natural fit and has extraordinary numbers in the format with an average of 57.49 with 16 centuries. Apart from him, the two Punjab openers have been making all the right noises in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy with their aggressive brand of cricket. Abhishek with his left-arm spin and Prabhsimran being wicketkeepers, can also provide the team with options.
Middle-order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul
The three were the backbone of India’s extraordinary run to the final of the 2023 World Cup. The format is Kohli’s bread and butter, Shreyas and Rahul are versatile, and hence sought-after. With their experience and form the selectors may not feel necessary to overlook them for the eight-team event.
In the fray: Riyan Parag, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh
For one other spot, three players are in contention. Parag was included for the trip to Sri Lanka, India’s last ODI assignment. Given his numbers at No 5 and 6 and his ability to bowl off-spin and India looking for multi-dimensional players, he has a strong chance. If they don’t need him, then they will be tempted to bring back Suryakumar Yadav, a batsman who hasn’t been able to find his feet in this format. Beyond the two there is Rinku, a capable finisher whose calmness can be a valued addition.
Wicketkeeper: Rishabh Pant
In the ODIs against Sri Lanka, Rahul started before Pant took his spot in the final match. All said and done, Pant is yet to cement his spot in this format. He will definitely be in the squad, but whether he is the first-choice wicketkeeper or not is a decision the selectors and the team-management should take before the tournament starts to avoid any chaos.
In the fray: Sanju Samson
Has played a central role in India’s newfound T20 approach and despite scoring a century in his last, wasn’t part of the squad in Sri Lanka. With Pant yet to nail his spot and if selectors go form, Samson offers an interesting option. May have to bat out of his usual position, but given the game he has, Samson can be the ideal one to walk with 15 overs to go. What could work against him is that he didn’t feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar
Although Pandya hasn’t played an ODI since Bangladesh in the 2023 World Cup, he is in line for a comeback. In three group-stage games of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he bowled 7,7 & 6 overs, which shows fitness isn’t an issue. He also had an excellent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign. So the selectors would be tempted to include him. For the two spinners; spot, Axar and Washington seem to be the perfect fit as they can be used as floaters as well.
In the fray: Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja
There will definitely be temptation to pick Nitish, but he may have to wait for his turn as having two seam-bowling options in the UAE may well be a luxury. It is the same in case of Dube as well, whose military medium-pace may not be required. With regards to Jadeja, if he is picked, it would come as a surprise inclusion as in limited-overs Axar seems to have won over the confidence of the selectors and team management.
Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy
If Kuldeep is available, it is a straightforward call. But with the left-arm wr-spinner still recovering from sports hernia it remains to be seen whether he would be match-ready before the Champions Trophy. It is understood that for Kuldeep to be in contention, he has to feature in the ODIs against England to prove his fitness. If not, then IPL will be the realic target for his comeback. In that case, Varun could emerge as an alternate pick. Apart from being among wickets in the IPL, he has evolved into more than just a mystery spinner. The conditions will also suit him.
In the fray: Ravi Bishnoi
If selectors are not convinced of Varun’s credentials in 50 overs, then they could lean towards Bishnoi. His quick leg-breaks could come in handy and he is live-wire on the field as well.

Fast bowlers: Jasprit Burmah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
The trio’s selection seems straightforward and if Pandya is available then only two may make it to the XI as India have been looking to find the right balance. Apart from batting depth, they are also seeking six bowling options so there could be spots for just three pacers, unless they compromise on other spots.
In the fray: Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana and Mohammed Shami
The left-arm seamer has been making the right noises in the domestic circuit and was part of the team to Sri Lanka. If Arshdeep isn’t ready, then Khaleel could join the race. Rana is promising, but a spot in the Champions Trophy looks a long shot. The inclusion of Shami, who has been bowling in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, will be a question of fitness.

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