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In a major selection call, India head coach Gautam Gambhir has reportedly decided to drop Ravindra Jadeja for India’s Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Bangladesh in Dubai. The decision paves the way for Washington Sundar to feature in the playing XI, as India looks to counter Bangladesh’s left-heavy batting lineup.
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Gambhir’s Conversation with Jadeja Sparks Selection Speculation
On the eve of the match, cameras captured an animated discussion between Gambhir and Jadeja, aired on Star Sports. Experts Abhinav Mukund, Piyush Chawla, and Mike Hesson analyzed the footage and speculated that Gambhir was informing Jadeja of his exclusion from the playing XI.
Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson further assessed Gambhir’s body language and confidently stated:
“He’s (Jadeja) not playing. You can tell from the body language that he’s being told he’s not playing. Gambhir is saying, ‘That’s my decision. I’ve made it. You may not agree with it, but thank you very much. You may play the next one, but for this match, we’re going with the off-spinner.’”
At the same time, India captain Rohit Sharma was seen in discussion with Axar Patel, suggesting the team management was weighing its final bowling combination.
Why is Jadeja Being Dropped?
- Bangladesh’s Left-Hander Dominance: Their top three—Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, and Najmul Hossain Shanto—are left-handers. India’s strategy appears to be playing an off-spinner (Sundar) over a left-arm orthodox spinner (Jadeja).
- Axar Patel’s Rise: While Jadeja has been a pillar of India’s ODI setup for over a decade, Axar Patel has emerged as a serious contender, improving significantly in all three departments. His consistent performances have made him India’s premier left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder in white-ball cricket.
- Gambhir’s Influence: Reports suggest Gambhir strongly backs Washington Sundar and prefers him over Jadeja for this particular match. His backing of young talents like Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy further emphasizes his inclination toward future-ready selections.
What This Means for Team India?
If confirmed, this decision marks a major shift in India’s approach under Gambhir’s coaching tenure. Dropping a senior player like Jadeja in a marquee ICC event signals a bold horses-for-courses strategy, prioritizing matchups over experience.
With Sundar expected to start, India will be hoping his off-spin can effectively counter Bangladesh’s left-handed batters, while Axar Patel retains his spot as the preferred left-arm all-rounder.
As India kickstarts its Champions Trophy campaign, all eyes will be on Gambhir’s tactical calls and how they shape the team’s performance in this high-stakes tournament.
