Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has suggested picking Sanju Samson over Rishabh Pant in India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is set to announce the squad for the mega event in the coming days as there is widespread speculation around which players will make the cut.

Harbhajan has also shared his thoughts on the squad and backed Samson's selection over Pant, saying that the latter should be given some rest after a long Test season. Since his comeback to international cricket after his car accident, Pant has played just one ODI against Sri Lanka in July 2024.

"I think one among Sanju Samson or Rishabh Pant should be picked. I feel Sanju should be preferred because he had played in South Africa. Rishabh played well in Australia, but it was a long tour, so if he is rested, it's not a big thing," Harbhajan said on his Youtube Channel.

Samson has made a remarkable turnaround in his career having scored three centuries in the last seven T20Is. In 16 ODIs, the wicketkeeper-batter has scored 510 runs at an average of 56.66 with one hundred and three fifties.

Meanwhile, further speaking ahead, the former spinner backed Axar Patel's selection over Ravindra Jadeja saying that the he is ready to fulfil Jadeja's role.

"I have chosen Axar Patel over Ravindra Jadeja. I think Axar is ready to fulfil the role that Jadeja has done for so many years," he added.

Axar Patel's remarkable run in T20 World Cup 2024

Patel overshadowed Jadeja in the T20 World Cup 2024 with his all round show in the tournament. The southpaw scored 92 runs from five innings during the T20 World Cup 2024 . Along with that, the left-arm spinner also took nine wickets from eight matches with notable performances against Pakistan and England.

The all-rounder missed out on selection in the ODI World Cup 2023 due to injury as Ravichandran Ashwin was picked over him. Patel will be eager to put his all-round skills on display to help India win another ICC trophy.