New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce the team for the 2025 Champions Trophy in the coming days, which is set to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and the UAE. Team India is placed in Group A in the tournament along with Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand.
Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh expressed his views on the team and backed some players for the selection. He suggested selecting Sanju Samson over Rishabh Pant in the 15-member team for the tournament. Since his comeback to international cricket after the life-threatening car accident, Pant has played just one ODI match against Sri Lanka in July 2024.
Meanwhile, Sanju has been in sensational form for the Men in Blue, smashing two hundreds in the last seven T20Is. He also scored a century against South Africa in his last ODI game. He has scored 510 runs in 16 ODI games at an average of 56.66.
“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 said on his YouTube channel.
‘Axar Patel over Ravindra Jadeja’: Harbhajan Singh
He also picked Axar Patel over Ravindra Jadeja and said that Axar is ready to fulfil Jadeja’s role. “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” he added.
Axar has picked up nine wickets in eight matches during the 2024 T20 World Cup, outperforming Jadeja. He also scored 93 runs in five innings of the tournament. He also amassed 47 runs off 31 balls in the final against South Africa. Axar missed the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an injury as Ravichandran Ashwin was picked in his place.
Rishabh Pant or Sanju Samson? Former India cricketers picked his choice for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The tournament is scheduled to begin on February 19. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
