As the 2025 Champions Trophy approaches, excitement around the Indian cricket team is building. Team India will play a series of ODIs against England before the tournament begins, but the squad for the Champions Trophy has already been revealed. While many fans were eager to see the final team selection, former cricketer Suresh Raina raised concerns about the exclusion of Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) from the squad, pointing out a key gap in the lineup.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Absence Stuns Raina
In an interview with TOI, Raina expressed surprise at the omission of Suryakumar Yadav, calling it a significant setback for the team. He stated, “India looks like a strong team, but I was surprised that Suryakumar was left out. His ability to play shots all around the field makes him a game-changer, and this is why he is called ‘Mr. 360 degrees.'” Raina highlighted that SKY‘s consistency and ability to score quickly in the middle order could have added crucial depth to the team.
The Need for a Middle-Order Game-Changer
Raina further elaborated that India needs a player who can dominate in the middle order. The unique conditions in Dubai, where the Champions Trophy will be held, would have suited Suryakumar‘s style of play. Raina believes his inclusion would have brought balance to the squad, easing the pressure on the top order.
India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Squad
The final 15-member squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy features seven batsmen, four all-rounders, and four bowlers. The selected batsmen include Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant. The all-rounders are Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar, while the bowlers are Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav.