Ashwin Namedrops Three Indian Spinners out of the Five To Get Preference in Playing XI for Champions Trophy 2025

India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Squad: Ashwin Weighs in on the Selection of Five Spinners

The Indian selectors have stirred up a debate by selecting five spinners for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. The decision to drop the promising young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and opt for an additional spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, has raised several questions among fans and former cricketers alike.

India’s 15-man squad includes the following five spinners:

• Kuldeep Yadav
• Axar Patel
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Washington Sundar
• Varun Chakravarthy

Ashwin’s Opinion on India’s Spinner-Heavy Squad

Ravichandran Ashwin, a seasoned Indian spinner, shared his thoughts on the squad selection during a video on his YouTube channel. Ashwin, known for his tactical understanding of spin bowling, expressed concerns about the selectors’ choice, stating that the team might have gone overboard with the inclusion of too many spinners.

• Ashwin’s Critique: He believes that India has one, if not two, extra spinners in the squad. According to Ashwin, the two left-arm spinners, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, along with Hardik Pandya, are key all-rounders and are likely to feature in the playing XI. Additionally, Kuldeep Yadav will also play, making it challenging for the selectors to find a spot for Varun Chakravarthy.
• Squad Balance: Ashwin suggested that if Varun Chakravarthy is to be included in the XI, a pacer would need to be dropped, and Hardik Pandya could be used as the second seamer. Alternatively, a spinner might need to be left out to make room for a third seamer.
• Kuldeep’s Role: Despite the excess of spinners, Ashwin backed Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion in the playing XI, though he acknowledged that Varun Chakravarthy might miss out as a result.
• Spin Conditions in Dubai: A key point raised by Ashwin was whether the conditions in Dubai would truly favor spin bowling, as has often been speculated. With the focus on spin-friendly conditions, the veteran spinner questioned if India would get the type of pitch conditions that justify carrying an additional spinner.

Conclusion

As India prepares for the Champions Trophy 2025, the inclusion of five spinners in the squad has sparked debate about team balance. While Ashwin supports the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav and the two all-rounders, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, he questions whether there are too many spinners given the playing conditions in Dubai. As the tournament draws nearer, it will be interesting to see how the selectors manage the spin-heavy squad and whether they opt for more seamers depending on the pitch conditions.