Champions Trophy: Rohit-Virat will play in Champions Trophy

Champions Trophy: Rohit-Virat will play in Champions Trophy, Rahul-Jadeja discussed; 18 players presented their claim

It is going to be very tricky for the BCCI Men's Selection Committee to select the team for the Champions Trophy. It is going to be a headache for the selectors to choose the best player from so many players. There are reports that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be part of the team. While there will be brainstorming about KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja. At the same time, young batsman Yashasvi can be kept as a backup opener.

Out-of-form Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be the mainstay of the Indian ODI team's batting line-up, but there are at least three senior players whose names will be a headache for the selectors when they sit to pick the Indian team for the Champions Trophy. KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja are not certain of a place in the team for the tournament starting on February 19, although they were part of last year's World Cup team.

Since the ODI World Cup final, India have played six ODIs in which Shami and Jadeja were rested, but Rahul found a place in the team for bilateral series in South Africa and Sri Lanka. Rahul was dropped midway through the series against Sri Lanka. His half-century in more than 100 balls was one of the main reasons for the defeat against Australia on 19 November 2023.

fight between pant and rahul

At the same time, Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to get a place in the ODI team. This will make the top four a left-handed batsman. If Rishabh Pant is the first choice for wicketkeeping, then there is no point in keeping Rahul as a backup. If Rahul is not wicketkeeping, then his place in the team as a batsman is not confirmed.

Akshar may get preference over Jadeja

Jadeja's form has not been that good in the white ball format and sources believe that the selection committee finds Akshar Patel a better option in ODIs. Washington Sundar's selection seems certain, but the selectors are keeping an eye on Kuldeep Yadav's fitness. He looks completely fit, but did not play a single match in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. If he does not play, Ravi Bishnoi or Varun Chakraborty may get an opportunity.

The selection committee is not clear about the fitness of fast bowler Mohammad Shami. He bowled eight overs in the last two matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. If Jasprit Bumrah is unable to play due to back pain, Shami's experience can prove to be very useful.

Samson may get a chance

Among his closest rivals, Ishan Kishan did not score runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, while Sanju Samson was not selected in the Kerala team after missing out on the opening matches. If coach Gautam Gambhir still has his way in selection matters, Samson could come into the team as he is his favourite. India have to play all their matches in the Champions Trophy in Dubai and the first match against Bangladesh will be played on February 20. Among the reserve batsmen, Rinku Singh and Tilak Verma could be one of the options.

18 contenders for selection in the team

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Shami. Dailymintz

Probable reserve players- Rinku Singh, Tilak Verma.