Rohit Sharma explains the reason behind leaving Karun Nair for Champions Trophy 2025

Indian captain Rohit Sharma explained the logic behind leaving out Mohammed Siraj from the 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Jasprit Bumrah suffered from back spasms during the Sydney Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy and is yet to be fully fit with a race against time ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Due to this, Rohit stressed the importance of having a bowler who could bowl through all phases with the new ball as well as at the death. That's why he picked Arshdeep Singh in place of Siraj. Here's what Rohit said about the experience of the bowling line-up.

"It's only Siraj who isn't there. But that's purely because we're not sure if Jasprit Bumrah will play. We wanted to pick someone who can bowl the new ball and in the death. And, we wanted Arshdeep to take that role," Rohit Sharma told reporters.

Rohit Sharma on the importance of all-rounders

Rohit Sharma also shed light on the reason why India went in with three all-round spin options in Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja. The plan seems similar to the one India had in the West Indies leg of the T20 World Cup where they played three spinners and had batting depth till No.8 with Hardik Pandya as the third pacer.

"We're only taking three seamers there. We wanted all-rounders with us. It's unfortunate that Siraj has to miss out," he added.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged Karun Nair's contributions to the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Nair scored 752 runs in six matches at an outstanding average of 752 with five centuries to his name. 

"Karun Nair's form was discussed and such performances don't happen often. At the moment to find a spot in this team is very difficult,"  Ajit Agarkar said.

India's Champions Trophy Squad: 

Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill (vc), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.

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