Suresh Raina hints at India’s future Captain as Rohit Sharma backs Shubman Gill as Vice-Captain for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Suresh Raina believes Shubman Gill’s vice-captaincy appointment signals India’s future captaincy, as Rohit Sharma backs the young star for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 leadership.

New Delhi: Former India cricketer Suresh Raina provided an in-depth analysis of Team India’s preparations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 during an exclusive interview on Star Sports Press Room. Raina spoke about various key aspects, including the appointment of Shubman Gill as vice-captain, the surprise omission of Suryakumar Yadavthe importance of all-rounders, and India’s potential strategies for success in the tournament. With the Champions Trophy fast approaching, Raina’s perspectives offer a detailed preview of what fans can expect from Team India as they aim for glory.

Shubman Gill: The Future of Indian Cricket
Suresh Raina spoke about Shubman Gill’s appointment as the vice-captain for the ICC Champions Trophypraising the young talent as India’s future superstar. He emphasized how Gill has evolved in the limited-overs format, especially in the last 12-16 months. Raina believes that Gill has demonstrated excellent leadership qualities, notably during the IPL with Gujarat Titans, where he led the team with remarkable maturity. Raina also highlighted that Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, clearly understands who the next leader is, and Gill’s promotion to vice-captain is a step in the right direction for the future of Indian cricket.

The Surprising Exclusion of Suryakumar Yadav
Another key point discussed by Raina was the exclusion of Suryakumar Yadav from the ODI squad for the Champions Trophy. Raina expressed his surprise, especially considering Suryakumar’s dynamic performances in the 2022 World Cup and his status as a “360-degree” player. Raina feels that Suryakumar’s ability to dominate the middle overs would have added valuable depth to India’s batting order, particularly on the Dubai ground, which suits his style of play. He believes that without Suryakumar, more responsibility falls on the top order, making the middle order a key area of focus.

Key Players to Watch in the Champions Trophy
Raina also spoke about the key players for India in the upcoming Champions Trophy. He highlighted the importance of bowlers like jasprit bumrah and Arshdeep Singhas well as the critical role of all-rounders such as Hardik Pandya. He pointed out how Hardik’s combination with Kuldeep Yadav in the middle overs could be pivotal for India’s success. The potential inclusion of all-rounders like Axar Patel and Washington Sundar would further strengthen the squad. Raina also gave special mention to Kuldeep Yadav, whose performance in the 2022 World Cup was outstanding, and his ability to deceive batsmen will be vital in the Champions Trophy.

The Need for Batting All-Rounders in the Squad
Raina reflected on the significance of having batting all-rounders in the squad, a strategy that has proven successful in past tournaments like the Champions Trophy and World Cup. He emphasized how the inclusion of all-rounders provides balance, with players like Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag contributing with both bat and ball in previous successes. He also discussed the importance of Kuldeep Yadav’s form and how the team’s bowling attack should be structured. Raina noted that a balanced squad, with a mix of strong fast bowlers and spin options, will be essential for India’s success in the Champions Trophy.

The Pressure of India vs Pakistan Matches
Raina gave his perspective on the high-stakes India vs Pakistan encounters in the Champions Trophy. Recalling the famous Mohammad Amir spell from the 2017 Champions Trophy final, Raina acknowledged Pakistan’s strong bowling attack and the passion they bring to such contests. He also noted that playing in Dubai would give Pakistan a slight home advantage. Despite this, Raina believes that India’s top-order batsmen, including Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli, will have a significant role to play in ensuring India’s success in these crucial matches. He stressed that at least one of the top three should bat through the 35th over to set up the innings for the power hitters to follow.

Importance of Team Combinations and Strategy
Raina discussed the importance of team combinations and strategies in the Champions Trophy. He believes that the team’s success will depend on how well the selectors balance the batting and bowling combinations, particularly in the middle overs. The inclusion of multiple all-rounders provides flexibility in both batting and bowling, which will be crucial in high-pressure matches. Raina also mentioned the potential role of captain Rohit Sharma in experimenting with different combinations, including his own contributions with the ball.

Champions Trophy 2025: What to Expect
With the Champions Trophy set to begin on 19th February 2025, Suresh Raina’s analysis provides valuable insights into what fans can expect from Team India. As the team gears up for one of the most anticipated tournaments, Raina’s comments highlight the exciting potential of the squad, as well as the challenges that lie ahead. With key players stepping up, strategic decisions being made, and the passion of Indian fans at its peak, the Champions Trophy promises to be an unforgettable cricketing spectacle.