Harbhajan Singh factors out India’s main choice blunder for Champions Trophy
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh feels India have completed a significant choice blunder by not choosing Yuzvendra Chahal of their squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The selectors named a spin-heavy 15-member squad for the mega occasion as they included Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. Nevertheless, wrist spinner Chahal was nowhere to be discovered having final represented the nation within the 50-over format again in January 2023 through the ODI sequence towards New Zealand.
Since then, he hasn’t performed the format and was additionally ignored for the ODI World Cup held the identical 12 months. Lately, Harbhajan questioned Chahal’s absence from the squad and talked about how selectors may’ve picked him within the staff so as to add selection to the spin assault as Jadeja and Patel are comparable type of bowlers.
“Sanju is not there. Yuzvendra Chahal is not there, too. You’ve got picked 4 spinners, two of them are left-armers. You can’ve included a leg-spinner for variation, too. Chahal is an excellent bowler. I do not know what mistaken he did, that he would not match on this staff,” Harbhajan advised Swap.
In 72 ODI matches performed in his profession thus far, the 34-year-old has picked 121 wickets at a median of 27.13 and an economic system of 5.26 with two five-wicket hauls to his title. Chahal was final chosen within the Indian staff for the T20 World Cup 2024, the place he sadly warmed the bench for the complete match with Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav being most well-liked over him within the enjoying XI.
Moreover, the previous off-spinner additionally expressed dejection at Sanju Samson’s snub from the staff and argued that his batting fits the format, mentioning his stellar numbers in ODIs.
Sanju Samson scores runs however he’s dropped: Harbhajan
“Actually, I really feel unhealthy for him. He scores runs however he’s dropped. I do know you possibly can solely choose 15, however I really feel his batting fits the format. He has a median of 55-56, however he is not even there as a second wicketkeeper. After we discuss choosing him, individuals ask, in whose place? Locations may be made,” he added.
Samson has been in exceptional type of late, having scored three centuries in his final six T20I innings. He additionally slammed an excellent ton in his final ODI outing towards South Africa in December 2023. The 30-year-old boasts a median of 56.66 after 14 innings in ODI cricket with 510 runs to his title at a strike fee of 99.60. He has registered 100 and three fifties in his profession thus far, however nonetheless his performances haven’t been sufficient to impress the selectors, with Rishabh Pant getting choice over him.
