Former India player turned commentator Suresh Raina backed wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s selection in India’s 15-member squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy as well. He, however, urged Pant to bat with greater responsibility in the ODI format as well. Pant was also picked over Kerala batter Sanju Samson as well. Pant has scored 871 runs in 31 ODIs which came at an average of 33.50 and a strike rate of 106.21. On the other hand, Samson has 510 runs in 16 ODIs, averaging 56.66 at a strike rate of 99.60 as well.
He told Star Sports Press Room (as quoted by PTI): “Definitely Pant; his wicket-keeping has improved. But he has to play with more responsibility in a 50-over game. If he stays there for 40-50 balls he can take the game away from the opposition, but he needs to spend more time at the crease.”
Indian captain Rohit Sharma also had a poor Test tour of Australia recently. He has been retained as the captain for the Champions Trophy but will be under pressure to prove himself again. Raina, however, backed both of them.
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“Rohit has the capacity, he has team but what will be important is our 11-player combination out of 15. The wickets will be a bit slow, but we have the capacity,” he added.
Suresh Raina also feels that the selectors should have picked T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav in the 15-member squad as Raina believes Suryakumar possesses an X-factor that will be missed by the team. He also named Shubman Gill as the team’s next superstar.
Speaking on Star Sports Press Room, Raina said (as quoted by news agency PTI): “Surya was an integral part of the World Cup squad. He is a 360 player who can score at 9 runs per over at any stage of the game. He can dominate the opposition and bats in a different way. If Surya was there, there would have been an X-factor; he will be missed. The responsibility will be now on the top three who are not in form. Surya is someone who can bat in any position.”
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“Gill got the vice-captaincy at the right time. He is the next superstar of India cricket, and has done remarkably well in ODIs. Rohit knows how to mentor a youngster and what value Shubman will bring in,” he added.
Speaking on Star Sports Press Room, Suresh Raina said (as quoted by PTI): “Siraj was in a different form in Australia but you can change the squad till 12 February. So I feel Siraj can be back in the side if Bumrah is not fully fit.””Harshit Rana has done well. He has good pace, good bumper, variation, yorker and pace. He and both Arshdeep Singh can bowl at the death, but I still feel Siraj is a better option if Bumrah is not there.”
