A team’s strength can often be assessed by how good the bench is. And that’s where India’s 50-overs side scores over many others. India has someone of the calibre of Yashasvi Jaiswal sitting on the bench as a back-up opener. He is a match-winner, and had had the most extraordinary 2024. And yet, he doesn’t find an automatic spot in the team. With Shubman Gill scoring runs and Rohit Sharma back in form, chances are that Jaiswal might not get a single game in the Champions Trophy.
Coming to the middle order, India have Rishabh Pant sitting on the sidelines. Pant, many would agree, is a generational talent and can win a game on his own. And yet, he has to sit out with KL Rahul making the spot his own after some strong performances in the 2023 World Cup. Now that Rahul has failed in two consecutive games, Pant might get a look in for the third and final ODI against England. Either way, one of the two will have to sit out in the Champions Trophy, again evidence of how strong India’s batting is in the format.
India also have an abundance of riches in spin bowling. Each one between Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy deserves a spot in the playing eleven. At best, three of the four can be accommodated. In Nagpur, it was Kuldeep who played ahead of Varun, while the roles were reversed in Cuttack. With Axar playing the role of batting all-rounder to perfection, chances are the management will rotate between Varun and Kuldeep.
Jadeja, with the six wickets in two games, has settled any debates about his place. Let’s also not forget Washington Sundar, who hasn’t got a game yet. That Varun was preferred ahead of him tells us that the management is looking at Varun as a possible option for the Champions Trophy. While it would be extremely disappointing for Sundar to miss out, such is the competition for places that these things will happen going forward.
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The only department where India look a tad underdone is the pace bowling. Without Jasprit Bumrah, there is a void which no one else can fill. While Arshdeep Singh has bowled extremely well in T20 cricket and is expected to lead the attack in Dubai in the absence of Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana haven’t looked at their best yet. While Shami has done enough to prove his fitness, he still needs game time to be back at his peak levels. Harshit too has blown hot and cold. He had a very good debut, and was then modest in the second game in Cuttack.
The pace-bowling chink notwithstanding, India’s strong bench strength means the team will be a contender for the Champions Trophy crown. With just a day left to announce the final 15, the only question is whether there will be two changes or one. Will Varun and Harshit replace Bumrah and Washington, or will they take a chance with Bumrah now that it is certain the injury isn’t as debilitating? From my standpoint, Bumrah shouldn’t be risked, for even without him, in the 50-over format, India are the team to beat with most players back in form.
Also Read: Bumrah question aside, India and Rohit Sharma look Champions Trophy-ready