New Delhi, Feb 15: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned the team selection for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, expressing concerns over the inclusion of five spinners in the final squad for the tournament, which begins on February 19 in Pakistan.
India’s 15-member squad features a handful of spinners including Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Varun Chakravarthy, a decision Ashwin believes is excessive, particularly for matches in Dubai.
Sharing his views, Ashwin remarked, “Five spinners in Dubai? I don’t know. I think we have one too many, if not two.”
He pointed out that Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja are India’s best all-rounders alongside Hardik Pandya, making their spots in the playing XI almost certain. Kuldeep Yadav is also expected to play as India’s lead wrist-spinner.
However, Ashwin questioned whether including Varun Chakravarthy in the squad made sense, as his selection would force the team to drop either a frontline pacer or one of the spinners.
“If you want Varun in the XI, you will have to bench a pacer and rely on Hardik as your second fast bowler. Otherwise, a spinner will have to sit out to accommodate a third seamer,” Ashwin explained. (Agencies)
