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Suresh Raina, the former India all-rounder, recently voiced his opinion on India‘s squad selection for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan and UAE.
India’s preparation for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced India’s 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy 2025, which will starts on February 19th. India will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by a high-stakes encounter with arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23, and will face New Zealand on March 2. All matches will be played in Dubai. In their squad announcement, India made some significant omissions, including Mohammed Siraj and Sanju Samson. The team, which has won the Champions Trophy twice – first in 2002, shared with Sri Lanka, and again in 2013 in England – will now have to navigate a tough group stage without these key players.
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Suresh Raina’s perspective: A major miss for India
Raina strongly believed that the exclusion of Suryakumar Yadav from the Champions Trophy 2025 squad is a significant setback for India. Raina emphasized Suryakumar’s exceptional batting skills, describing him as someone who can score at a brisk pace and turn games around. Suryakumar’s ability to play unconventional shots, adapt to different game situations, and create breakthroughs with his batting will undoubtedly be missed. Raina also highlighted the challenge India faces due to Suryakumar’s absence, particularly in the top order.
“Surya was an integral part of the World Cup squad, he is a 360 player who can score at 9 runs per over at any stage of the game. He can dominate the opposition and bats in a different way,. If Surya was there, he would have been an X-factor; he would have missed. The responsibility will now be on the top 3, who are not in form. Surya is someone who can bat in any position,” Raina said on Star Sports Press Room.
