India's 2011 World Cup-winning star reckons that Axar Patel is ready to fulfil Ravindra Jadeja's role for India as an all-rounder. He also believes that Sanju Samson should be preferred over Rishabh Pant in India's Champions Trophy 2025 squad. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce India's squad for the Champions Trophy which is scheduled to start from February 19.
Before the official announcement, there are speculations over the squad for the marquee event which is set to take place next year. Jadeja, an all-rounder who has delivered in all spectrums of the game for years, is now facing a scenario where he could be axed from the squad.
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Considering Axar Patel's performances, there are chances that there will be a toss between Axar and Jadeja and in such a scenario, Harbhajan wants Axar to be part of India's squad for the upcoming tournament.
"I have chosen Axar Patel over Ravindra Jadeja. I think Axar is ready to fulfil the role that Jadeja has done for so many years," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.
Apart from all-rounders, there is a debate among the wicketkeeping options for the Rohit-led side between Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant. Many former cricketers likes of Sanjay Manjrekar, Sanjay Bangar believe that KL Rahul will keep wickets and Samson should be the part of squad as a backup wicketkeeper. Harbhajan also believes the same because Pant has played in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and that was a long tour.
"I think one among Sanju Samson or Rishabh Pant should be picked. I feel Sanju should be preferred because he had played in South Africa. Rishabh played well in Australia, but it was a long tour, so if he is rested, it's not a big thing," Harbhajan added.
Team India will start their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. Team India will play all their matches in Dubai.