3 First-Choice Players Who Could Be Dropped From India's Champions Trophy XI

Indian players in action vs England [Source: AP]

On Wednesday, India will lock horns with England in the final dead-rubber of the ongoing ODI series on home soil. Led by Rohit Sharma, India have already sealed the series, having emerged victorious in the first two games in Nagpur and Cuttack. 

So, the third ODI at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will be India's final game before the ICC Champions Trophy. The Men in Blue are placed in Group A and will face Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand in the first round of the tournament. 

As the Champions Trophy nears, the dynamics of the Indian team seems to have changed a bit. As a result, there are three first-choice players who are on the verge of losing their spots in the playing XI, as mentioned below. 

1. KL Rahul

(KL Rahul's ODI stats at number 5)

• There was a time when KL Rahul used to be India's first-choice number five batter in ODI cricket. The wicketkeeper-batter enjoyed stellar success at number five, scoring 1259 runs at a superb average of 57.22 and a strike rate of 95.45. 
• However, Rahul hasn't batted at his preferred number five position ever since the ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad. The shuffling in his position has certainly taken a toll on Rahul's performance, with him averaging just 20 in his last six ODI innings. 
• Furthermore, the tweak in Rahul's batting position suggests that the Indian management somewhere underestimates his calibre as a crisis man in the middle order. Considering Rahul has been criticised for his keeping blunders and knack for not converting his chances into match-winning performances, it won't be surprising if India consider dropping him at any stage in the Champions Trophy. 

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2. Kuldeep Yadav

(Kuldeep Yadav's ODI stats since January 2020)

• Ace wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been India's most prolific performer with the ball since January 2020, as evidenced by the above stats. 
• However, an unfortunate groin injury, coupled with Varun Chakravarthy's renaissance, has put Kuldeep's place in danger. Although he has done nothing wrong, Chakravarthy's extraordinary performance in T20Is prompted the Men in Blue to try him out in ODIs. 
• The right-arm mystery spinner will likely get another opportunity in tomorrow's dead-rubber in Ahmedabad. If he performs admirably, India might think twice to replace the in-form Chakravarthy with Kuldeep in Champions Trophy. 

3. Mohammed Shami

(Mohammed Shami's international record since comeback)

• Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami was India's most successful bowler in the 2023 World Cup. He overshadowed Jasprit Bumrah in the tournament, scalping 24 wickets in seven outings. 
• However, the seamer has been far from his best after his recovery from a career-threatening ankle injury. While Shami's pace has been reduced, he seems to have lost the zip post-injury. 
• In such a scenario, India could bring Arshdeep Singh and give him an opportunity in the final ODI against England. With Harshit Rana winning the management's trust as a strike bowler, Shami might lose his place if he continues performing this way. 

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