India’s decision to include three left-arm spinners in their squad for the Champions Trophy has left former cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath puzzled. Among the selected players, allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, whose last ODI appearance was in the 2023 World Cup final, stands out as a potential choice for the playing XI.
In addition to Jadeja, the team also features Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, giving India a strong set of left-arm spin options. However, Badrinath, who once shared the field with Jadeja at Chennai Super Kings, did not anticipate his former IPL teammate making the cut for the prestigious tournament.
Sharing his thoughts on Star Sports, Badrinath admitted that certain selections were unexpected. He expressed surprise at Jadeja’s inclusion, pointing out that he didn’t see much room for him in the playing XI. His concern was why India would choose a player for the squad if he might not even get a chance to play.
Given that all of India’s Champions Trophy matches will be played in Dubai, the decision to stack the squad with spinners seems logical. The conditions in the UAE typically favor spin, which could explain the team’s approach.
Meanwhile, India’s recent ODI series against England saw the inclusion of mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, possibly as a backup plan amid uncertainties surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness. Depending on his performance in the series, Chakaravarthy could also stake a claim for a spot in the Champions Trophy squad, adding yet another dimension to India’s spin-heavy lineup.
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