Champions Trophy: All Eyes on India vs Bangladesh Encounter

Dubai : India is set to make a bold selection call in their Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Bangladesh, with star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja likely to be left out of the playing XI. The match will be held in Dubai on Thursday, and this decision appears to be influenced by Bangladesh’s top three batters, who are all left-handers.

As per visuals aired by Star Sports on the eve of the match, India head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen having an animated conversation with Jadeja, which experts Abhinav Mukund, Piyush Chawla, and Mike Hesson interpreted as Gambhir possibly informing Jadeja of his exclusion. Simultaneously, captain Rohit Sharma was observed speaking with Axar Patel, suggesting that Axar might retain his spot in the XI.

Washington Sundar, who offers off-spin bowling and handy batting skills, is set to replace Jadeja, providing India with a tactical advantage against Bangladesh’s left-handed top order. Sundar’s ability to bowl in the powerplay and control the flow of runs is seen as a key factor in this decision. Additionally, his batting prowess adds depth to India’s lower-middle order, which could be crucial in Dubai’s conditions.

India’s selection dilemma stems from balancing their spin options. With Axar Patel being a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja, the team management seems to prefer Sundar’s off-spin to counter Bangladesh’s left-handed batters, including Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Towhid Hridoy. Given Dubai’s pitch conditions, which often assist spinners, Sundar’s inclusion could prove pivotal in restricting Bangladesh’s scoring opportunities.

Despite Jadeja’s experience and proven track record in both batting and bowling, the strategic advantage offered by Sundar’s off-spin seems to have swayed the management’s decision. This move also signals Gambhir’s proactive approach, as the former Indian opener is known for his tactical acumen and willingness to make tough calls for the team’s benefit.

As India prepares to kick off their Champions Trophy campaign, all eyes will be on how Sundar performs in this high-stakes encounter. Meanwhile, Jadeja’s potential absence is bound to spark debates among fans and analysts, especially given his reputation as a game-changer.