ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Aakash Chopra picks his India’s playing XI for the Bangladesh game

Former India player Aakash Chopra has selected the Indian team’s probable playing XI for their 2025 ICC Champions Trophy opening match against Bangladesh. He believes Kuldeep Yadav would be a member of the team if Rohit Sharma makes the final choice.

The 2025 Champions Trophy will be played in three cities in Pakistan and Dubai, UAE, beginning Wednesday, February 19. India's opening Group A game will be against Bangladesh on Thursday, February 20, in Dubai. They will then face Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2.

The former India opener preferred KL Rahul above Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper-batsman and predicted that Kuldeep would play ahead of Varun Chakaravarthy if Rohit selects the XI.

"What could be India's playing XI on the 20th? Shubman Gill with Rohit Sharma, the captain and vice-captain, will open. There shouldn't be any question asked about No. 3 because run-machine (Virat) Kohli will be there. Shreyas Iyer has to be there at No. 4.

"I see Axar Patel batting at No. 5, and I am thinking Rahul at No. 6 and Hardik Pandya at No. 7. Then you are looking at Ravindra Jadeja at No. 8. If Rohit Sharma is taking all the calls, then I see Kuldeep playing," Chopra stated on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra also stated that Varun Chakaravarthy might play ahead of Kuldeep Yadav in case Gautam Gambhir overrules Rohit Sharma’s decisions.

"However, if Gautam enjoys greater preference because I don't know the dynamics, Varun Chakaravarthy might get an opportunity first, but my vote will be for Kuldeep Yadav," Chopra observed.

Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy played in the recent ODI matches against England at home.

"Arshdeep Singh will 100 percent be in my team." - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra stated that Arshdeep Singh will be a lock in his chosen India XI for the 2025 Champions Trophy start. He stated that the decision between Mohammed Shami and Harshit Rana would be based on how the former bowled ahead of the game.

"Arshdeep Singh will 100 percent be in my team. From the other end, if Mohammed Shami is looking perfect, then Mohammed Shami, or else you could see Harshit Rana playing because he is not bowling well with the new ball but is pulling his weight in the side in the middle and end overs," Chopra said.

Chopra also urged the Indian team to bat second if they win the toss in Dubai in their ICC Champions Trophy matches. This is because he feels that India is a batting-heavy side and that the Indian batters should give themselves a little time, as 350 to 375-run scores are unlikely to be posted in the Dubai conditions.

Aakash Chopra's probable India XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav/Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami/Harshit Rana.

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