Harshit Rana And Varun Chakaravarthy Reportedly Chosen By Gautam Gambhir In India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Squad

The inclusion of Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy in India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has put head coach Gautam Gambhir in the firing line. Gautam Gambhir once again proved his loyalty towards KKR by choosing the duo over Mohammed Siraj and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

On Tuesday (February 12), the BCCI clarified Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the next ICC Champions Trophy 2025, stating that the fast bowler has been ruled out due to a back issue, even though his scan tests were okay.

According to reports, Bumrah was given five weeks of recuperation before beginning his rehab at the NCA with trainer Rajnikanth and physio Thulasi. However, Bumrah's scans were "OK," but NCA president Nitin Patel was dubious whether he'd be fit to bowl from the start of the event, but he should be fine to bowl in the knockout rounds. As a result, Ajit Agarkar, the top selector, made the final judgment.

Gautam Gambhir draws anger following contentious alterations to the Champions Trophy team

After two unexpected last-minute alterations, India's final roster for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy has sparked speculation. The BCCI has designated teenage bowler Harshit Rana as Jasprit Bumrah's replacement after he made his ODI debut against England in the present home series.

However, the Indian selectors made another unexpected decision to replace Yashasvi Jaiswal with in-form spinner Varun Chakaravarthy for the forthcoming eight-nation event.

Yashasvi has been named as a non-traveling reserve for the ICC event, with Shivam Dube and Mohammed Siraj. Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir is behind the selection of Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy in the Indian team.

Gambhir openly supported Rana despite the harsh criticism he received on the Australia tour, and then made sure he could play a few ODIs before sending him to Dubai for the tournament. He did the same thing with Chakravarthy, which demonstrates his influence in team selection.

Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy benefit from Gautam Gambhir's connection

It is evident that Gambhir's judgments are influenced by KKR, and fans have already begun questioning and condemning Gambhir for selecting Rana and Varun based on personal preferences rather than quality. Notably, Rana and Varun won the IPL 2024 with KKR under Gambhir's guidance.

Now, insiders have delivered a significant bombshell concerning Rana and Chakravarthy's selection to the Champions Trophy squad. According to reports, Gambhir was the sole decision maker in selecting the duo for the flagship event. Even Rohit Sharma's input was disregarded in Rana and Chakravarthy's choices.

Is India benefitting from the Gambhir Approach?

According to a PTI report, Gautam Gambhir was instrumental in selecting Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy for India's ICC Champions Trophy squad. According to the report, Gambhir selected Rana and Varun for the 15-member squad.

The Men in Blue now have five spinners in their squad for the Champions Trophy. However, just three are expected to play at once, leaving supporters perplexed by the lack of batting options in the tournament roster.

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