Former India batsman Suresh Raina feels the selectors missed a trick by not including an aggressive batsman in the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Suresh Raina said Suryakumar Yadav should have been included in the 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy, describing it as an X factor.
On Saturday, January 18, chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced India's squad. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul were picked as the middle order batsmen with Rishabh Pant included as the batsman. Suryakumar, who was part of the 2023 ODI World Cup squad, was not included in the Champions Trophy squad.
Suryakumar Yadav was an integral part of the World Cup squad – Suresh Raina
Speaking at the Star Sports Press Room, Suresh Raina disagreed with the Indian selectors' decision to omit Suryakumar Yadav from the Champions Trophy squad. Raina pointed out that Suryakumar brings a unique “360-degree” style of play and is capable of scoring quickly at any stage of the game.
“Surya has been an integral part of the World Cup team. He is a 360 player who can score 9 runs in an over at any stage of the game. He can dominate the opposition and bat in a different way” , he said (as quoted). by PTI news agency).
“If Surya had been there, there would have been an X-factor; he will be missed. The onus will now be on the top three who are out of form. Surya is someone who can bat in any position,” added Raina.
Suryakumar Yadav has been exceptional in T20Is but his performance in ODIs has been less impressive despite multiple opportunities. The 34-year-old batsman has played 37 ODIs, scoring 773 runs at an average of 25.76 and a strike rate of 105.02, including just four half-centuries.
Shubman Gill got the vice-captaincy at the right time – Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina expressed his support for the decision to appoint Shubman Gill as the vice-captain of the Indian team. Raina praised Gill, calling him the “next superstar” of Indian cricket due to his impressive performances in ODIs. He also said that Rohit Sharma knows how to guide the young players.
“Gill has been given the vice-captaincy at the right time. He is the next superstar of Indian cricket and has done remarkably well in ODIs. Rohit knows how to mentor a youngster and what value Shubman will bring,” he said in age 38 years. commented old.
Shubman Gill has been named as the vice-captain of the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy
Shubman Gill has established himself as a key player in ODIs since his debut in 2019. The right-handed batsman has scored 2,328 runs in 47 matches at an average of 58.20 and a strike rate of 101.74, including six centuries and 13 fifty.
Even after his poor performance in the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Gill was backed by the captain and selectors, naming him vice-captain for the Champions Trophy. With the 2027 World Cup a major focus and a transition in leadership, India are likely to identify a young captain for the future.
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