Not Sanju Samson! Suresh Raina names a batter whose absence could prove costly for India in Champions Trophy
Star Indian batter Suresh Raina voiced his disappointment over the exclusion of a key player from India’s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee announced the squad on Saturday, January 18, just a month ahead of the tournament set to take place in Pakistan and Dubai.
Raina expressed surprise at the omission of Suryakumar Yadav, whom he referred to as an “x-factor” player. He highlighted Yadav’s ability to dominate the middle overs and provide much-needed flexibility to the batting order. The 34-year-old’s absence, according to Raina, could place added pressure on India’s top three batters.
“India has a strong squad, and I’m confident that Rohit will lead the team to success. However, I was taken aback by Surya’s exclusion from the team. His absence will definitely be felt, especially in the middle order, as he brings that crucial X-factor. We saw his brilliant form in the 2023 World Cup, where he dominated with his shots all over the ground. That’s why he’s called Mr. 360. His sweep shots are exceptional, and he can turn the game around in any situation. Surya has the ability to chase down challenging run rates, especially against top teams. He absolutely should have been in the squad,” Suresh Raina said on Star Sports.
“India needed someone in the middle overs who could take charge and dominate the opposition. The Dubai ground has unique dimensions small boundaries in front and larger ones towards the covers. Surya’s style of play would have suited these conditions perfectly. Without him, the pressure falls heavily on the top three batters, who aren’t in their best form right now. There’s a lot of uncertainty—will KL Rahul take on more responsibility, or will Rishabh Pant be promoted up the order? Could Shubman Gill open alongside Rohit? These are all factors to consider. If Surya had been in the squad, his versatility to bat at any position in the order would have provided India with much-needed flexibility,” he added.
Suryakumar Yadav, regarded as the world’s best T20 batter, has struggled to replicate that form in ODIs. In 37 ODIs, he has scored just 773 runs at a subpar average of 25.77, with four half-centuries. His last ODI appearance was in the 2023 World Cup final against Australia, where he faced criticism for his performance. After Hardik Pandya’s injury, Suryakumar played every match in the tournament, accumulating 106 runs in seven innings at an average of 17.66.
Suresh Raina, one of India’s finest white-ball middle-order batters, played a pivotal role in India’s 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy victories.
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