The talented young batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal missed his place in the 15-member Indian team for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Although initially part of the provisional squad, he was eventually replaced in the final list by mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy. However, Yashasvi remains as a non-traveling substitute alongside Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube, showcasing the team's depth in talent.
Surprised Coach Jwala Singh Speaks Up
Yashasvi's long-time mentor and coach Jwala Singh expressed his unexpected reaction to the exclusion. He touched on Rohit Sharma's previous endorsements of Yashasvi, recalling statements that suggested the sharp young player deserved his spot. Despite the setback, Singh remains optimistic about Yashasvi's future in the One Day International (ODI) format, underscoring the importance of respecting selection decisions.
Jwala Singh shared with NDTV, 'Based on his performance in the Test series against Australia, he seemed destined for the Champions Trophy. I've heard Rohit Sharma praise Yashasvi on several occasions, indicating his potential inclusion even without prior ODI match experience. However, I'm not privy to the decision-making process behind his exclusion from the final team.'
He further commented, 'We need to embrace the selectors' decisions. They seek specific team compositions that align with their vision. Yashasvi is young, with plenty of prospects ahead of him. Ultimately, we must respect the selectors. Until Yashasvi earns another chance, it's essential for him to keep honing his skills and prepare for future opportunities.'
Source: aajtak
Jwala Singh noted, 'Yashasvi debuted in ODIs against England, scoring 15 runs. While he might have aimed for more, cricket's challenges are multifaceted. Playing ODIs has equipped him for various formats, yet he's still in a learning phase. I'm confident that he'll excel in ODIs and transform this learning into success the next time opportunity knocks.'
Rohit's Affirming Words for Yashasvi
Last month, when Yashasvi Jaiswal was included in the provisional squad for the Champions Trophy, Rohit spoke at a press conference, emphasizing Yashasvi's consistent run-scoring over the past 14-15 months as a testament to his capabilities and why he was initially included in the squad.
Yashasvi was slated to feature in the Ranji semifinals against Vidarbha, but an ankle injury kept him from participating—a significant loss for Mumbai. He will now visit BCCI's Center of Excellence in Bengaluru for further injury assessment.
India's Champions Trophy Squad Includes:
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar.
Non-traveling substitutes:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Shivam Dube.
Champions Trophy Full Schedule:
February 19 - Pakistan vs New Zealand, KarachiFebruary 20 - Bangladesh vs India, DubaiFebruary 21 - Afghanistan vs South Africa, KarachiFebruary 22 - Australia vs England, LahoreFebruary 23 - Pakistan vs India, DubaiFebruary 24 - Bangladesh vs New Zealand, RawalpindiFebruary 25 - Australia vs South Africa, RawalpindiFebruary 26 - Afghanistan vs England, LahoreFebruary 27 - Pakistan vs Bangladesh, RawalpindiFebruary 28 - Afghanistan vs Australia, LahoreMarch 1 - South Africa vs England, KarachiMarch 2 - New Zealand vs India, DubaiMarch 4 - Semifinal-1, DubaiMarch 5 - Semifinal-2, LahoreMarch 9 - Final, Lahore (To be played in Dubai if India reaches the final)March 10 - Reserve Day
