Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his disappointment over the exclusion of Yuzvendra Chahal from India’s squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Despite India naming a spin-heavy squad, including Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja, Chahal, the wrist spinner, was omitted. Chahal, who last played in the 50-over format in January 2023 during the ODI series against New Zealand, has not featured for India since then, even being overlooked for the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Harbhajan believes that Chahal’s exclusion is a major blunder by the selectors, particularly given the similarity in the bowling styles of Jadeja and Patel. “You could’ve included a leg-spinner for variation. Chahal is a superb bowler. I don’t know what he did wrong to be left out,” Harbhajan told Switch. He added that the team could have benefitted from Chahal’s skills, which could have added balance to the spin attack.
In addition to Chahal, Harbhajan also voiced his frustration over the exclusion of wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson. Despite Samson’s impressive recent form, including three centuries in his last six T20I innings and a brilliant century in his last ODI appearance against South Africa in December 2023, he was not included in the squad. Harbhajan questioned the selectors’ decision, citing Samson’s strong ODI batting average of 56.66 and his strike rate of 99.60. “I feel bad for him. He scores runs but he is dropped,” said Harbhajan.
Samson’s omission, despite his recent performances, has raised eyebrows, with many questioning why he has been consistently overlooked in favor of Rishabh Pant.
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