Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra talked about the choice for the left-arm spin all-rounder in the Indian team between Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said that both are likely to be picked and will be useful for the team. 

The left-arm spin bowling opting in the Indian team has been keeping everyone excited. Both Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are doing a great job for the team in both T20Is and ODIs, helping the team win some of the crucial games in both formats. 

However, India will be having a great headache going into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as to who among them will be in the team and will be playing. In the last few months, Axar has proved his prowess and has turned out to be the match-winner for the team in the white-ball formats. 

On the other hand, Jadeja has been going through the lean phase and hasn't made a big impact. Both the all-rounders were part of the playing 11 in the T20 World Cup 2024 but it was Axar who was captain's favourite in terms of both bowling as well as batting. 

Even in the Sri Lanka tour when almost every senior player was part of the team, Ravindra Jadeja wasn't named in the squad as he was rested. Axar Patel on the other hand was a key performer for his team as he contributed staggeringly with the bat and ball for the team.

Aakash Chopra feels that Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel both will be useful for the team in the Champions Trophy 2025 if the event is played in Sri Lanka or Dubai. Therefore according to him, both the all-rounders will be there in the squad. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained: 

"I think both will be a part of the team because they were in the World Cup, Where will India play? They won't play in Pakistan, right? They will play in Dubai or Sri Lanka  If we are playing anywhere between these two, then we need finger spinners. And I think both will be useful there. So, I see both of them getting picked."

I am not picking anyone - Aakash Chopra on choice between Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja 

Aakash Chopra further stated that he won't be picking anyone. But mentioned that Axar Patel of late has been ahead of Ravindra Jadeja and stated that it's tough to pick one. He elaborated: 

"I am not picking anyone. Although it is also true that Axar Patel is doing so well in all the opportunities he has got, he is not letting you down and is not making everyone think that had Jadeja been here, what would had he done? He wouldn't have done better than Axar. This is the situation right now." 

India doesn't have any ODIs scheduled this year now. They will next be playing against England in February before the Champions Trophy. The series will give clarity about who will be there in the team.