Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed concern about India’s squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The former Indian off-spinner boldly asserted that the Indian national cricket team missed a trick by not including an all-rounder like Nitish Kumar Reddy in the event. .
India opted for three finger-spinner all-rounders—Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar—and left out an additional bowling option for the upcoming tournament.
The former India all-rounder believes that the absence of a perfect all-rounder could limit the flexibility of the Indian national cricket team, especially if only one between Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Ravindran Jadeja makes it to the Playing XI at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Ravichandran Ashwin says the lack of an all-rounder could hurt India’s flexibility in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Ravichandran Ashwin feels that a player like Nitish Kumar Reddy could have balanced the team better and added depth for the upcoming multinational tournament, which is scheduled to begin on February 19 in Pakistan, with India playing their matches in Dubai, UAE.
Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “Does it make sense to have a player like Nitish Reddy in the scheme of things? If Kuldeep plays at 9, that’s two pacers and three spinners. He could bat at 8 with Nitish, allowing Kuldeep at 9 and two fast bowlers. This would allow the luxury of four fast bowlers and two spinners. I don’t know if it was considered. Kuldeep is a lock at number 9, as the primary spinner. I think one fast bowler could have been placed among the players. I’m sure there were conversations.”
Ashwin also said that Washington Sundar’s inclusion in the playing XI will entirely depend on India’s call to select him based on his batting abilities and India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir is his fan, so he is most likely to play in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, but he wants it at number 8.
‘Gautam Gambhir highly regards Washington Sundar’
He explained, “I am not biased but Gautam Gambhir holds Washington Sundar in high regard for his batting. It can also be used as a float. If you follow the World Cup format, you play Jaddu or Axar at No.6, Hardik at No.7, and Washington at No.8. That allows for three fast bowlers or Kuldeep and two pacers, keeping Hardik’s all-round skills balanced.”
The ace off-spinner warned India against playing Washington Sundar at No. 7 as it could weaken the batting line-up, saying he should bat at No. 8. However, if dew becomes a big factor, Sundar at No. 8 might not function, in which case Kuldeep Yadav could take that spot and India could opt for an all-round attack with Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin said that Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will be India’s likely openers in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, followed by Virat Kohli at No. 3 and Shreyas Iyer at No. 4. Ashwin feels that KL Rahul is expected to bat to number 5.
However, the Tamil Nadu spinner has predicted that there will be a toss-up for the sixth spot between Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, with Hardik Pandya at No.7 for the upcoming tournament.
However, Ravichandran Ashwin did not pick Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant in his playing line-up for CT 2025. He also boldly claimed that Yashasvi Jaiswal might get a chance only if the player gets injured or if India decide to capitalize on his impressive form.
Here is Ravichandran Ashwin’s India XI for Champions Trophy 2025:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja/Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
