India’s ‘Mumbai Lobby’ Exposed By Basit Ali Ahead Of Champions Trophy 2025

The former Pakistan batter, Basit Ali, has remarked that Indian cricket has been covered with a lot of politics, with the Mumbai lobby using their power to promote their players on the national side.

He reckoned that India’s ODI and Test captain, Rohit Sharma, is from Mumbai, as it has been the case with Suryakumar Yadav, who was appointed the blue brigade’s T20I captain. The appointment of the new leader took place after Rohit decided to retire from the shortest format, winning the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

Basit Ali blames Mumbai lobby in Indian cricket

Basit Ali suggested that Jasprit Bumrah appears to be the front-runner to take over the red-ball captaincy from Sharma in the future. The premier fast bowler led the side in Rohit’s absence during the opening Test of the recent Border Gavaskar Trophy at the Optus Stadium in Perth and helped them in their 295-run victory.

Also Read: Ricky Ponting Reveals Mitchell Marsh’s Replacement For Champions Trophy 2025

He highlighted that instead of favoring players from Mumbai, Rishabh Pant should be handed a leadership position in India’s format. In a recent video, uploaded on the YouTube channel, he took a different route.

“The people from Mumbai are very strong. You see that the captain, for Tests and ODIs is Rohit Sharma. For T20Is, it is Suryakumar Yadav. Suryakumar and Shivam Dube are even going to play in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal.” Basit Ali observed.

“If Rohit doesn't go to England for the Test series, whose name was doing the rounds? It was Jasprit Bumrah's. In my opinion, Rishabh Pant should be there.” Pakistan’s former batter stated.

Suryakumar Yadav led the blue brigade to their recent 4-1 series victory against England at home in the five-match series. Rohit will be leading the side in the three ODIs, followed by the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium.

Mumbai’s Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav’s performance

Despite being part of the Mumbai lobby, their players’ success is incredible for the national side. Rohit is the fourth leading run-getter for the national side in the 50-over format. The Nagpur-born has drilled nearly 11000 runs in 257 innings at an average of 49.16 and a strike rate of 92.43, thanks to 31 centuries and 57 half-centuries.

Shreyas Iyer is also a part of the department. The middle order batter has cracked 2421 runs in 57 innings at an average of 47.47. His strike of 101.21 is impressive, shouldering on five centuries and 18 half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 128 runs.

Also Read: Mohammed Shami ‘Far From Ready’; Jasprit Bumrah Declared ‘Unfit’ For ICC Champions Trophy 2025

India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar, is the third leading run-getter for the two-time T20 champions. The top-order batter has bagged 2598 runs in just 79 innings at an average of 38.20 and a strike rate of nearly 170. The 34-year-old has already celebrated four centuries and 21 half-centuries at the best score of 117.

Ex-Pakistan batter shocked by Mohammad Siraj’s exclusion

Basit Ali opined that the Indian selectors got it wrong by dropping Mohammad Siraj from the ICC event. He felt that the Hyderabad-born had done enough to cut the ICC tournament.

“Gautam Gambhir was praising him a lot in Australia, and now he is not even part of the squad. He should have been there.” Ali expressed.

“If India wants to pick Siraj for the Champions Trophy, let him and Harshit Rana play together against England. They would get to know then whom to pick. He will get to play two matches if he is added to the squad now.” The Karachi-born concluded.