India needed a fast bowler in the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee removed opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and added Varun Chakravarthy, taking the number of spinners to five. Ravindra Jadeja, Varun, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar are the tweakers in the unit, and the former players are surprised by the process.
The same mistake happened in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, with Yuzvendra Chahal not getting a game. However, it got covered as India won the event. In Dubai, the pitches will be favorable for the fast bowler in comparison with the spinners, but the decision-makers have taken a completely different route.
Former player Aakash Chopra lambasted the selectors for their brainless decision. He felt that Jaiswal should have remained in the team for the upcoming tournament.
“His family, friends, and fans felt proud when Yashasvi Jaiswal’s name came to the CT team. But now he is not in the squad. The selection in Indian cricket is full of surprises. Iyer, who was not supposed to play the first ODI against England, is a part of the team. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was supposed to play the first contest, was dropped,” Akash Chopra said.
Sanjay Bangar praised the selectors for the addition of Varun. “The selectors felt Varun Chakravarthy was more important than Yashasvi Jaiswal and made this change,” he said.