Aakash Chopra selects his Indian squad for Champions Trophy 2025; No place for Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson
Akash Choprathe former Indian cricketer and prominent commentator, has been making headlines with his bold predictions about India’s squad for the upcoming season Champions trophy. This prestigious tournament, scheduled to begin on February 19, 2025, marks a significant return after an eight-year hiatus.
Chopra’s selection has sparked debate, particularly with the exclusion of notable players such as Suryakumar Yadav And Sanju Samson.
Exclusions of Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson
In a recent YouTube video, Chopra explained why he left out Suryakumar Yadav, popularly known as SKY. He noted that Suryakumar has not participated in One Day Internationals (ODIs) recently and has struggled to make an impact in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25he failed to score any significant runs.
“I believe Suryakumar Yadav will not be a part of this team. He doesn’t actually play ODIs and didn’t score any runs in Vijay Hazare either.” Chopra explained. Likewise, he pointed out that Sanju Samson has not played any 50-over matches, which further reduces his chances of selection.
The strong case of Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya
However, Chopra is optimistic about the reception Shreyas Iyerwho he believes is in exceptional shape. “Suryakumar Yadav is not there but Shreyas Iyer is there. Since the start of the World Cup, he has scored 620 runs in 15 innings with two centuries at a strike rate of 112 and an average of 52. Iyer is on fire.” Chopra stressed that Iyer’s consistent performance was a key factor in his selection.
Another important name in Chopra’s expected squad is the all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Chopra acknowledged Pandya’s recent achievements in domestic cricket and said that the Baroda boy’s presence was crucial for the team’s balance and strength.
“Hardik Pandya has to be in the team, there is no doubt about that. He plays the Vijay Hazare and also the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. “He played a lot of cricket because the question was that he wasn’t playing.” he remarked.
ALSO READ: ‘All set to conquer the world’: Mohammed Shami on making India comeback for England ODIs and Champions Trophy 2025
Context of the Champions Trophy 2025
The Champions Trophy holds immense significance for India, especially after the team failed to reach the final stages of the ICC World Test Championship 2025. The Indian team’s management is under pressure to rethink its strategy and performance after a series of disappointing results, including the recent tour to Australia where they faced stiff competition. The tournament will pit India against other top cricketing nations and the selectors are expected to finalize their squad soon. The deadline for confirming preliminary rosters is set for January 12th, giving teams some flexibility to make adjustments until February 13th.
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 Shami, Arshdeep Singh.
