Dinesh Karthik Slams Gautam Gambhir And Co. For Choosing 5 Spinners In India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Squad

Dinesh Karthik, a former batsman and wicketkeeper for Team India, has questioned the choice of five spinners in the Rohit Sharma-led squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The addition of a second spinner rather than an opener, according to Karthik, indicates some hesitancy in the team's selection process.

In their provisional squad, India included four spinners: Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. They added a fifth spinner at the last minute. In the final squad, Harshit Rana took the place of the injured Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy took the role of Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Several former cricketers and analysts have raised concerns over India's squad selection for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Dinesh Karthik also questioned the decision to include five spinners in the squad.

5 Spinners, I Personally Feel, Is a Bit Too Much - Dinesh Karthik

Four spinners would have been enough, Karthik said on Cricbuzz's HeyCB with DK show. He did, however, add that KL Rahul can fill in if necessary, so the team won't be very concerned about their opening choices.

“First thing, let’s address the two openers. I believe if, in case one of them gets injured, Yashasvi (Jaiswal) can always come in if there needs to be a replacement or if it’s just for a match, then KL Rahul can always open. It’s not a problem. So that they’re not going to be too worried about.

Now 5 spinners, I personally feel, is a bit too much. They could have done with 4, I felt. And that’s where I do think it shows a little bit of, not confusion, which is probably a strong word, but not being very sure of what exactly to do because they announced a squad and then they added another spinner for an opener,” Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz’s HeyCB with DK show.

Varun Chakaravarthy played one ODI for India against England and picked one wicket on his ODI debut.

Mohammed Siraj Could Have Been picked: Dinesh Karthik

Karthik, who won the 2013 Champions Trophy with the Indian team, discussed why Harshit Rana was chosen to replace Jasprit Bumrah rather than Mohammed Siraj. Siraj would have been the more seasoned choice, according to Karthik, but Harshit is more trusted by the team management.

“Look, if you had to go with experience, then yes, Siraj could have been the ideal choice, but I thought Harshit bowled very well against England. What I feel is the Indian camp is very impressed with Harshit Rana. I think Harshit Rana was the debate, but I feel Team India backs him right now more than Siraj," Dinesh Karthik said.

India to open their account vs Bangladesh

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which starts on February 19 in Karachi with a match between reigning champions Pakistan and New Zealand, will start with India as one of the favorites to win. Along with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand, Rohit Sharma's team is assigned to Group A.

On February 20, India will launch their campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai. On February 23, they will play their bitter rivals, Pakistan, at the same location. On March 2, they will play their last group-stage encounter against New Zealand.

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