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"We Have Only 2 Spinners...": Rohit Sharma Hits '5 Spinner' Question Out Of The Park Ahead Of India's CT Opener

India captain Rohit Sharma on Wednesday defended picking five spinners in the Champions Trophy squad, saying three of them are all-rounders who add a lot of value to his team. Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav are the two specialists spinners while the other options in that department are Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, who all are very capable batters. The spin-heavy side has three fast-bowling options in the form of Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana with Hardik Pandya being the sole pace all-rounder.

India vs Bangladesh, Champions Trophy: Dubai Pitch Report, Umpires, Squads, Where To Watch

With the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy now underway, tournament favourites India will begin their Group A campaign against Bangladesh under overcast skies at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday. With just two teams each from both groups set to enter the semi-finals, every group stage game is critical for the Rohit Sharma-led side to win and strengthen their chances of winning the title they last held in 2013. India come on the back of good momentum they got in all aspects of the game while registering a 3-0 ODI series win over England at home. Bangladesh, on the other hand, come as an unfancied side, but have the arsenal in fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Taskin Ahmed to trouble the Indian batters.

"All Teams Are Capable Of Winning...": Bangladesh Captain's Bold Statement Ahead Of India Clash

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto exuded confidence ahead of his team's Champions Trophy opener against India, emphasising that his side has the firepower to challenge the two-time champions. With a blend of quality fast bowlers and dependable all-rounders, Shanto believes Bangladesh has what it takes to make a strong start in the tournament. “All departments have to click if we are to beat India. We have good memories against them, and if we execute our plans well, we have a good chance,” Shanto said in the pre-match press conference.

India vs Bangladesh, Champions Trophy Preview: Big Selection Headaches For Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir

A turbulent recent cricketing past has made a resonant effort mandatory for India in the Champions Trophy, and their opening match against a tricky Bangladesh here on Thursday will be the first point in assuaging a set of existential questions surrounding this team. They are vexing even for a pre-tournament favourite like India. Can this Indian bowling unit tide over the absence of injured pace talisman Jasprit Bumrah? Can Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma summon their glory days back? Can young names like Shubman Gill ace the pressure of a multi-nation competition to deliver consistently? In that context, the ICC showpiece is a godsend because ODI is the comfort zone of those icons and young tyros in this Indian line-up, and they will be genuinely eyeing a strong outing here.

Harshit Rana Snubbed From Champions Trophy India XI By Legend. "Not As Good As..."

Australian great Ricky Ponting will pick Arshdeep Singh over Harshit Rana for India's Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh here on Thursday with the Rohit Sharma-led side hoping to fill the huge void left by injured pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Rana has done alright in the chances he has got ahead of the ICC event but Ponting feels the left-arm pacer Arshdeep is better suited to bowl in all phases of the 50-over game. "I would go with the left-armer and I'd go with Arshdeep (to replace Bumrah)," Ponting said on The ICC Review.

Team India Gets 85 Rating As R Ashwin Evaluates Champions Trophy Teams, Pakistan Only Get...

Rohit Sharma's men have some tough fixtures ahead of them as India begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 journey. Put in the Group A, alongside Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh, Team India needs to finish among the top two sides in order to progress to the semi-finals. While no team can be taken lightly in the competition, retired India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had some observations to share as he rated the four teams from Group A of the Champions Trophy.

In Jasprit Bumrah's Absence, Imrul Kayes Calls This India Pacer "Big Threat" To Bangladesh

Former Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes reckons the absence of Jasprit Bumrah will provide his team an opportunity to put India's pace attack under pressure when the two teams open their Champions Trophy campaign on February 20. India go into the game as overwhelming favourites as Bangladesh enter the tournament at the back of a long struggling spell in the ODIs. “India is a strong side with a great bowling attack and batting lineup. But Bumrah is not in the squad. We all know what he has done in the last two years for Indian cricket. His absence gives Bangladesh a chance to capitalize,” Kayes told PTI Videos.

India's Champions Trophy Rivals Decoded: New Zealand Compact, Bangladesh Unpredictable And Pakistan...

Jasprit Bumrah's absence will certainly hurt India big time, but quality of batting and spin bowling will make Rohit Sharma's team one of the title contenders alongside South Africa and Pakistan. India will play Bangladesh on February 20 followed by Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2. Here's a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis of India's opposition in group stages

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Bangladesh Cricket Team Sport News

"We Have Only 2 Spinners...": Rohit Sharma Hits '5 Spinner' Question Out Of The Park Ahead Of India's CT Opener

India vs Bangladesh, Champions Trophy: Dubai Pitch Report, Umpires, Squads, Where To Watch

"All Teams Are Capable Of Winning...": Bangladesh Captain's Bold Statement Ahead Of India Clash

India vs Bangladesh, Champions Trophy Preview: Big Selection Headaches For Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir

Harshit Rana Snubbed From Champions Trophy India XI By Legend. "Not As Good As..."

Team India Gets 85 Rating As R Ashwin Evaluates Champions Trophy Teams, Pakistan Only Get...

In Jasprit Bumrah's Absence, Imrul Kayes Calls This India Pacer "Big Threat" To Bangladesh

India's Champions Trophy Rivals Decoded: New Zealand Compact, Bangladesh Unpredictable And Pakistan...