Aakash Chopra Advocates for Kuldeep as India’s Top Spinner in Champions Trophy
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Synopsis
In a recent statement, former cricketer Aakash Chopra emphasized the importance of Kuldeep Yadav in India's bowling attack for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, urging the management not to bench him in favor of other spinners.
Key Takeaways
- Aakash Chopra supports Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad.
- Kuldeep was key in India's ODI World Cup success, being the fourth-highest wicket-taker.
- Chopra questions the exclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal from the squad.
- Varun Chakravarthy replaces Yashasvi in the 15-member squad.
- Chopra expresses concerns about the spin-friendly conditions in Dubai.
New Delhi, Feb 12 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has called on the Indian team management to ensure that Kuldeep Yadav remains a critical component of India's bowling lineup during the forthcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
Chopra's comments were made following the finalization of India's 15-member squad for the tournament, which saw Tamil Nadu spinner Varun Chakravarthy replacing Yashasvi Jaiswal.
As all of India’s matches will take place in Dubai, the inclusion of Varun means that the team will bring along five spinners.
On social media platform X, Chopra expressed his views regarding India’s squad selection, specifically advising against sidelining Kuldeep in favor of Varun.
“India has selected 5 spinners for the Champions Trophy. FIVE. Sharjah would be a perfect venue for this squad. Spin To Win. Dubai?? Not so sure. That pitch hasn’t favored spinners much… ever. Furthermore, I sincerely hope that Kuldeep isn’t benched for Varun. Play both if necessary… but Kuldeep must be India’s leading spinner,” he posted.
Kuldeep played a vital role in India’s journey to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, ending as the team's fourth-highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets in 11 matches. He continued this momentum into the T20 World Cup 2024, where he secured 10 wickets in just five matches, once again becoming India's fourth-highest wicket-taker.
He also raised questions regarding India's selection decisions for the Champions Trophy, particularly pointing out the exclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made his ODI debut in the first ODI against England in Nagpur.
“I anticipated that Bumrah’s absence would compel selectors to choose Siraj. There are 4 pacers in the squad. It’s also noteworthy how swiftly the strategy to include Yashasvi in the playing XI ahead of Iyer is abandoned… to the point that Yashasvi isn’t even part of the CT squad,” he shared in another post on X.
