Hardik Excluded? 3 All-rounders Who Might Be Picked In India's Champions Trophy Squad

Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya [Source: @weRcricket/x.com]

The Indian team will be looking to revive themselves in the international arena after their humiliating defeat in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2025. The next big chance that the Aisan giants will get to prove themselves as a strong unit in the international arena is the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 

India will be eager to prove itself and present a formidable challenge to other teams for the title. The first step towards a succesful run in the tournament would be to select a balanced squad that can stand up to almost all the challenges. 

One major factor in imparting balance to the side will be the presence of perfect all-rounders in the squad. So, here are three all-rounders that India might take in the squad for CT 2025. 

3. Axar Patel

Axar Patel [Source: @LoyalSachinFan/x.com]

The Indian spin-bowling all-rounder is the forerunner to get selected in the CT 2025. Axar Patel has proven himself, especially with the bat in limited overs. While he can bowl some economical and effective overs in the middle phase, Patel can also float around in the batting order and bail the team out of jail in crunch games. There is a strong rumour that due to his greater effectiveness in the limited overs than Jadeja, Patel will get a go in the Champions Trophy 2025.

2. Nitish Reddy

Nitsh Reddy [Source: @circleofcricket/x.com]

The young Indian all-rounder rose to prominence during IPL 2024. Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered for the Sunrisers in the tournament with both the bat and the ball. Especially with the bat, Reddy played crucial knocks under pressure for the Sunrisers. His IPL performances soon earned him an India call-up during the recently concluded Border Gavaskar Trophy; Reddy also showed that he has the temperament to play longer knocks. Given the all-round promise that Reddy has shown, he will be one of the all-rounders to travel for the CT 2025. 

1. Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya is a crucial member of the Indian limited overs set-up. He has the experience to perform under pressure and deliver effectively with both the bat and the ball. Pandya showed during the T20 World Cup 2024 that his experience was very valuable in changing the momentum of crunch games. Given his experience and the depth and flexibility he brings to the side, there is no way that India will ignore him for the CT 2025. 

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