Aakash Chopra launches a ballistic attack on Indian Think Tank After Champions Trophy 2025 Squad Gets Modified

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has advised the Indian team management not to drop Kuldeep Yadav in favor of Varun Chakravarthy during the Champions Trophy 2025. Varun replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal in India's tournament team, which was finalized on Tuesday, February 11.

Varun's acquisition meant that India would now have five spinners for the Champions Trophy, as they will play all of their matches in Dubai. The Tamil Nadu spinner replaced Kuldeep in the second ODI in Cuttack.

India finalize the CT squad

Chopra took to X after the announcement, saying that the decision to play with 5 spinners would have worked in a venue like Sharjah, but he questioned if it was appropriate in Dubai.

Hope that Kuldeep isn’t benched for Varun: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra further mentioned in his post that he hopes India doesn’t bench Kuldeep Yadav for Varun Chakaravarthy during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai. Chopra also urged India to play Varun and Kuldeep together if necessary. The former cricketer ended his tweet by saying Kuldeep has to be India's premier spinner at the event.

Kuldeep was benched for Varun in the second ODI in Cuttack, where the Tamil Nadu lad made his ODI debut.

“India has picked 5 spinners for Champions Trophy. FIVE. Sharjah would be an ideal venue for this squad. Spin To Win. Dubai?? Not so sure. That surface hasn’t helped spinners as much…ever. Also, I really hope that Kuldeep isn’t benched for Varun. Play both if you must…but Kuldeep has to be India’s premier spinner,” Chopra posted.

India has picked 5 spinners for Champions Trophy. FIVE.
Sharjah would be an ideal venue for this squad. Spin To Win.
Dubai?? Not so sure. That surface hasn’t helped spinners as much…ever.
Also, I really hope that Kuldeep isn’t benched for Varun. Play both if you must…but…

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 12, 2025

Kuldeep Yadav contributed significantly to India's triumph in the last two ICC events. During the ODI World Cup 2023, Kuldeep took 15 wickets in 11 matches, finishing fourth in the competition as India advanced to the final.

The wrist-spinner improved his game during the T20 World Cup 2024, taking 10 wickets in five matches and finishing as his team's fourth top wicket-taker.

Aakash Chopra surprised that Mohammed Siraj wasn’t picked after Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra is surprised by the selectors' decision to exclude Mohammed Siraj from India's Champions Trophy squad. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, India has chosen Harshit Rana over the Hyderabad pacer. Furthermore, the arrival of Varun Chakravarthy brings India's spin strength to five.

Taking to social media platform X, Chopra stated that he believes Bumrah's absence will force the selectors to choose Siraj. The former has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to a low back issue. While Rana has been selected ahead of Siraj, the latter has been designated as a non-traveling reserve.

“I thought Bumrah’s absence will force selectors to pick Siraj. Have 4 pacers in the squad. It’s also interesting to note how quickly the plan to play Yashasvi in the XI ahead of Iyer is abandoned…to the extent that Yashasvi isn’t even a part of the CT squad,” Chopra posted.

I thought Bumrah’s absence will force selectors to pick Siraj. Have 4 pacers in the squad.
It’s also interesting to note how quickly the plan to play Yashasvi in the XI ahead of Iyer is abandoned…to the extent that Yashasvi isn’t even a part of the CT squad.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 12, 2025

It is pertinent to point out that Harshit Rana made his ODI debut recently in the IND vs ENG series.

Also Read: Kevin Pietersen Criticizes Ben Duckett For Strange ’Doesn’t Care’ India Series Loss Remark