ICC Champions Trophy 2017 will be kicking off on June 1 at London, it is high time that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announce India’s squad. Expect a whole lot of changes ahead of the squad as we might get a few surprises on the basis of their past performance and recent in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017. There have been talks about few young talents who might get a nod ahead of the veterans. Here’s inUth’s probable XI for ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
1. Virat Kohli (captain)
There is no doubt about this selection as his recent performance in IPL 2017 and Border-Gavaskar Trophy would not affect his captaincy or place in the side. His record speaks for him. Though he is yet to prove himself on English pitches.
2. MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper-batsman)
Dhoni will without a doubt be keeping wickets in the tournament. He was the skipper last time India won the Champions Trophy. BCCI would not risk excluding him from the side. Even though he has had a rough patch in IPL, his claim to a berth in the side still remains strong.
3. Shikhar Dhawan/Ajinkya Rahane (batsman)
You do not go into a tournament without a player who scored 2 centuries in the previous tournament and has been in decent form of late. Though there have been talks of Rahane getting picked ahead of him. It will be a tough battle between the two though. The only thing that might go against Rahane is his recent form in IPL 2017.
4. Rohit Sharma/Gautam Gambhir (batsman)
Rohit was permanent in the ODI side but his injury has kept him away for a while. His recent form in IPL has not strengthened his claim for a berth, also, his inability to play on green pitches might go up against him. Gambhir has been performing consistently. There has been much outrage among fans that why isn’t he in the side despite his performances. Gambhir is one of the leading run-scorer of IPL 2017. Robin Uthappa too had a strong claim before he had a niggle in the back.
5.Yuvraj Singh (all-rounder)
How can one ignore Yuvraj for Champions Trophy 2017, he proved his worth against England in the recent series scoring a career-best 150. His form in IPL 2017 has been decent as well, he is surely one sure shot for India’s squad. He is good against fast bowlers and will be handy on pace, bouncy wickets in England.
6.Kedar Jadhav/Nitish Rana (batsman)
Jadhav has been earned recognition as a finisher in the India side due to his recent performances against England. His performance in IPL 2017 might be the only minus point against his selection. Rana has gained popularity for his attacking nature in IPL 2017 and has been backed by Australia’s legendary batsman Ricky Ponting to be picked on the side.
7.Manish Pandey/Rishabh Pant (batsman)
Pandey has certainly become a regular in the side due to his recent performances, he was not that impressive in the recent series but has proved his mettle overseas. On the other hand, there is Pant who might get a berth in the side due to his whirlwind innings and ability to dominate fast bowlers. He can be included in the side as a reserve wicketkeeper as well.
8. Ravindra Jadeja (all-rounder)
Jadeja will be included on the side without any arguments, he is the no.1 Test bowler for a reason. Though he might not be as effective in English pitches as he is in the subcontinent. He provides depth to the batting order and has been a regular in the playing XI. His recent performances for Gujarat Lions (GL) in IPL 2017 are bound to be ignored.
9. Hardik Pandya (all-rounder)
Pandya has become India’s fast-bowling all-rounder for whom they have searched for decades. He got his ODI cap from Kapil Dev and his potential has been compared with the same cricketing great. His finishing skills will come in handy in England. Also, he might be a surprise package with the pace and bounce he might get from English pitches. He has been outstanding for Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL and has a sure-shot place on the squad.
10. Ravichandran Ashwin (Kuldeep Yadav/Krunal Pandya as backup spinner)
Ashwin has a definite place on the side until and unless he is not fit to play. As per media reports, he might not be fit for the Champions Trophy. In case he does not pass the fitness test India would lose a world-class spinner and also a handy batsman down the order. In his absence, Kuldeep might get his debut call. Krunal can be a surprise inclusion for his performance in IPL 2017 for MI which will mean Pandya brothers representing the nation. Axar Patel has a chance as well of making it into the squad.
11. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (medium-fast bowler)
This was an easy win as Bhuvneshwar will get a side in the playing XI for sure, let alone the squad. He has been in outstanding form and over the years has become a death overs specialist. He can swing the ball both ways which might prove to be dangerous for the opposition in powerplay overs. He is on the team without second thoughts.
12.Umesh Yadav/Jaydev Unadkat (bowler)
Though Umesh has proved to be lethal against almost every international side. He is a default pick for India’s opening fast bowler. Though he has proved to be expensive in recent series but his wicket-taking skills could not be ignored. Unadkat is a surprise inclusion on this list, he is one of the leading wicket takers in IPL 2017 and recently bowled a triple-wicket maiden last over which included a hat-trick.
13. Jasprit Bumrah (bowler)
The young sensation has become the synonym of death overs bowling. He recently saved MI in a super over against GL where he was bowling to two of the finest big-hitters in the business, Aaron Finch, and Brendon McCullum. He will surely be on the flight to London for Champions Trophy.
14.Mohammed Shami/Sandeep Sharma (bowler)
Coming after an injury, he is likely to make it into the side for his skills with the new ball. But his performance in IPL 2017 for Delhi Daredevils does not strengthen his claim. Sandeep, on the other hand, has been awarded ‘Man of the match’ for two times in IPL 2017 so far. He also became the first bowler to take Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers’ wicket in the same game. Need I say more?
15. Sanju Samson/Yuzvendra Chahal/Basil Thampi/Dinesh Karthik/ Rahul Tripathi
The 15th man in the squad is bound to be a surprise selection. If it’s Chahal we would not be surprised but if it is one of the other four, it will be a breaking news. All the above have proved their mettle in one way or another in the ongoing IPL 2017.
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