Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that Washington Sundar could be part of India’s playing XI in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Sundar is one of the three spin-bowling all-rounders included in India’s 15-member squad for the eight-team ICC tournament, which kicks off on February 19. According to Ashwin, who retired from international cricket on December 18, 2024, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir holds Sundar in high regard, particularly valuing his batting abilities.
“I’m not biased, but Gautam Gambhir highly values Washington due to his batting. He can also be used as a floater,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel while analyzing India’s Champions Trophy squad. “If you follow the (ODI) World Cup format, you play either Jaddu (Jadeja) or Axar at No. 6, Hardik Pandya at 7, and Washington at 8. This allows for three fast bowlers or Kuldeep and two pacers, maintaining balance with Hardik’s all-round skills,” he added.
Ashwin names his India’s playing XI for Champions Trophy
In his video, R Ashwin also mentioned that team India’s Champions Trophy-playing XI is missing a left-handed batter in the top-order.
“Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill open, both right-handed. Then there’s Virat Kohli. Shreyas Iyer likely bats at 4, given his strong performance in the World Cup. KL Rahul follows. At No. 6, it’s a choice between Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Hardik occupies No. 7. We lack left-handed batters in the top seven. Outside the XI, we have Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant,” he explained.
As per Ashwin, the young opening batter Yashasvi, who has been selected for the England ODIs and the Champions Trophy, is likely to get an opportunity to play in the ICC tournament only if there is an injury to another player.
“Jaiswal might only play if someone gets injured. He could have a chance against England. But what if he scores consecutive centuries? One option is to open with Jaiswal and Rohit, pushing Shubman to 3, followed by Virat at 4. This would place either Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul at 5,” said Ashwin.
