India's T20 and ODI World Cup-winning member Harbhajan Singh is not happy with the squad picked for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Harbhajan questioned the absence of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal from the squad. The 'Turbanator' said that a place can be made for someone like Samson who has an average of over 56 in ODIs.
"Truly, I feel bad for him. He scores runs but he is dropped. I know you can only select 15, but I feel his batting suits the format. He has an average of 55-56, but he isn't even there as a second wicketkeeper. When we talk about selecting him, people ask, in whose place? Places can be made," Harbhajan said in a chat with Switch.
Harbhajan said that Chahal could have added variety to the spin attack.
"Sanju isn't there. Yuzvendra Chahal isn't there, too. You've picked four spinners, two of them are left-armers. You could've included a leg-spinner for variation, too. Chahal is a superb bowler. I don't know what wrong he did that he doesn't fit this team," said Harbhajan.
In addition, Harbhajan wondered whether Yashasvi Jaiswal will play a single match in the tournament considering Shubman Gill has been chosen as Rohit Sharma's deputy. Also, Virat Kohli will bat at no.3 followed by Shreyas Iyer until and unless there is a last minute change.
“I thought Yashasvi would open, but now, I don't feel that. Shubman Gill is the vice-captain, so he will play. And Yashasvi won't bat at three or four, because Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer will occupy those spots,” said the 44-year-old.
Jaiswal is yet to make his ODI debut. It is yet to be seen whether he has been picked as a backup opener, similar to the T20 World Cup 2024. He can make his ODI debut in the ODI series against England starting February 6.
Jaiswal's List A numbers
The southpaw has 32 List A (domestic One-Day games) and scored 1,511 runs at an average of 53.93. The 23-year-old has five centuries and seven fifties. Also, he has scored a double hundred in the format.