Gautam Gambhir Behind India's Champions Trophy Squad Changes: Report

The recent turn of events in the Indian ODI team has been quite dramatic. After Jasprit Bumrah's injury became a catch-22 situation, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee decided not to take him to Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy, naming Harshit Rana, who made his ODI debut in the England series, as his replacement. Another surprise awaited the Indian cricketing spectrum as opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal was dropped for mystery spinner Vaun Chakravarthy, courtesy of the latter's exemplary performances in the T20I assignment against England. 

The changes in the Indian squad for the ICC event have been openly questioned on social media, especially considering certain recent events. Jaiswal opened with Rohit in the first ODI against England, but not as a replacement for Virat Kohli, who missed the match due to an injury. Jaiswal was preferred over Shreyas Iyer by the Indian think tank but the latter's quick-fire fifty in the match changed the entire structure. 

Now, as the selection committee looked to make space for Chakravarthy, it was Jaiswal who was sacrificed, though he has been made a part of the reserves for the global event. 

Jaiswal is among the non-travelling reserves along with Shivam Dube (like-for-like for Hardik Pandya) and Mohammed Siraj (like-for-like for Mohammed Shami).

The inclusion of Harshit and Chakravarthy, however, does hint at the sort of power head coach Gautam Gambhir holds in the selection meeting at present. According to a report in PTI, the two picks in this Champions Trophy squad are based on Gambhir's recommendations -- Rana and Chakravarthy -- both of whom coincidentally are also part of IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders.

Chakravarthy, who has been very