back icon

News

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: 3 unlucky India players not to make the cut

article_imageLISTICLE
Last updated on 18 Jan 2025 | 12:31 PM
Google News IconFollow Us
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: 3 unlucky India players not to make the cut

Who else could have India picked in their 15?

India announced their 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on January 18 (Saturday). While there were some deserved inclusions, we look at a few players who were unlucky not to make the cut:

Mohammed Siraj

India went in with three frontline pacers for the Champions Trophy, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh finding a space. While the three have shown their credentials to perform at the highest level, one cannot help but feel for Mohammed Siraj, who can consider himself unlucky.

India's Mohammed Siraj bowls a ball

Since 2023, Siraj has picked up 47 wickets - the most for an Indian pacer. In fact, only Kuldeep Yadav (53) has picked up more wickets than the Indian speedster.

Karun Nair

"Someone averages 700+, those are special performances. At the moment, finding a spot in this team is difficult," chief selector Ajit Agarkar said, explaining Karun Nair's omission from the Champions Trophy squad.

India's Karun Nair practices during Indian Premier League IPL

Nair seemed to have broken the doors down with a sublime effort in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where his average reads a mind-boggling 752. Before the final, he had slammed five tons and a fifty in his seven innings, and it looked almost certain that he would make the cut.

"You look at the guys who have been picked, all average well in excess of mid-40s. Unfortunately, you can't fit everyone in a squad of 15. But those performances certainly make you take notice," Agarkar further explained.

Varun Chakravarthy

After a sedate start in the Vijay Hazare Trophy this season, Varun Chakravarthy picked up 13 wickets in the final three matches, including a couple of fifers. With his excellent show in the IPL, he made it back into India's T20I side, but he is yet to crack the code when it comes to 50-over cricket. This was perhaps his best chance to get in. 

Varun Chakravarthy bowls for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League

However, 59 wickets at 14.13 to go with an economy rate of 4.28 in List A cricket should keep the 33-year-old in the hunt in the near future.

Related Article

Loader