Ravichandran Ashwin named India XI with shocking exclusions
Ravichandran Ashwin has threatened the Indian team in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Indian national cricket team player has boldly said that he missed the trick by not including a seam bowling all-rounder like Nitish Kumar Reddy for the event. .
India opted for three finger-spinning all-rounders as India opted for an additional seam bowling option for the next tournament.
The former India all-rounder believes that the lack of a seam bowling all-rounder could limit the flexibility of the Indian national cricket team, especially among Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Ravindran Jadeja, who will only make it to the Playing XI in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Ravichandran Ashwin says lack of seam bowling all-round could affect India’s consistency in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Ravichandran Ashwin feels that a player like Nitish Kumar Reddy could have balanced the team better and added depth for the next international tournament, which will see Pakistan play India on February 19 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: ‘Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Won’t Play…’ – Big Warning Issued
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, it’s two pacers and three spinners. With Nitish, he could tap on 8, leaving Kuldeep on 9 and two fast bowlers. This offers the luxury of four fast bowlers and two spinners. I don’t know if he’s supposed to. Kuldeep is a lock at number 9 as the main spinner. I think he could have handled a fast bowler between the finger spinners. I’m sure there were discussions.
Ashwin also said that Washington Sundar’s inclusion in the XI will entirely depend on India’s call to pick him due to his competitive ability, Indian coach Gautam Gambhir is a fan of him, so he is likely to play in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, but wants him at No.8.
‘Gautam Gambhir looks up to Washington Sundar’
He explained, “I’m not biased, but Gautam Gambhir values Washington Sundar because of his batting. It can also be used as a float. If you follow the World Cup format, you play Jadu or Aksar at No. 6, Hardik at No. 7 and Washington at No. 8. This allows for three fast bowlers or Kuldeep and two pacers to balance Hardik’s all-round abilities.
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 is a big factor, having Sundar at 8 may not work, and in that case, Kuldeep Yadav may take that spot, and India may opt for an all-round attack with Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed that Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are the likely openers for India in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, followed by Virat Kohli at No.3 and Shreyas Iyer at No.4. 5.
Also Read: Baseball vs Skyball! Ravichandran Ashwin bowls Washington Sundar, reveals India XI for 1st England T20I
However, the Tamil Nadu spinner predicted a toss-up between Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel at the sixth spot, with Hardik Pandya slotted at No.7 in the upcoming tournament.
However, Ravichandran Ashwin did not pick Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant in his playing XI for City 2025. Yashasvi Jaiswal also boldly stated that he might get a chance only if a player gets injured or India decides to take advantage of his amazing situation.
Here is Ravichandran Ashwin’s India XI for the 2025 Champions Trophy:
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.
