After waiting for several days, finally Team India was announced for the Champions Trophy. The press conference organized for this announcement, which was already delayed by a few days, also started with a delay of about two and a half hours but finally the 15 names came out who will represent Team India in the Champions Trophy. There was no very surprising decision in team selection. Only the non-selection of star fast bowler Mohammad Siraj was worthy of attention. Now the question is that when Team India will play its first match against Bangladesh on 20th February, who will get a place in its playing eleven?

Team India was announced for the Champions Trophy in Mumbai on Saturday 18 January. In this, mostly those players were selected who were part of Team India in the World Cup 2023 and were continuously doing well in this format. Kuldeep Yadav has got a chance in the team again after being fully fit, while some relief has also been brought to Jasprit Bumrah, who was earlier considered out of the Champions Trophy but now he has been selected. However, the situation on his fitness is still not completely clear.

Batting order fixed but question on wicketkeeper

Now if we talk about the playing eleven, there is no big challenge regarding the batting order. The opening pair of captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill will remain intact. In such a situation, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was elected for the first time, will have to wait. Whereas Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer will be successful in making their place. All-rounder Hardik Pandya will also be present at number six.

The question here is about the wicketkeeper, for which there will be a competition between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. If Team India keeps in mind the performance of the last World Cup, then Rahul seems to be winning here. On the other hand, if the decision is made to keep a left-handed batsman in the batting order, then Pant may get a chance in this. However, to deal with the left-handed problem, the team has options like Axar Patel, Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja, any of whom can be promoted if selected. In such a situation, Rahul's claim seems strong.

Jadeja and Shami will not get a chance?

Although the tournament is to be organized in Pakistan, but Team India will play its matches in Dubai. The pitches there are conducive to slow bowling, keeping this in mind, 4 spinners (3 spin-all-rounders) have been kept in the team and this is where the issue of selection comes. Experience is in Ravindra Jadeja's favor but recent form goes against him. In such a situation, Akshar Patel, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav may get a place in the playing eleven.

After this, space is left only for 2 fast bowlers, for which there will be a competition between Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh and Bumrah's fitness will be most important in this. If Bumrah is not fit then it is certain that Shami and Arshdeep will play. If Bumrah remains fit, the team can drop Shami and give a chance to Arshdeep, because he is a left arm fast bowler and he brings a variation in the bowling attack.

Team India's probable playing 11

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah/Mohammad Shami.