'I've made my decision. You're not playing': Gambhir to drop Indian superstar from Champions Trophy clash vs Bangladesh

India Set to Drop Ravindra Jadeja for Champions Trophy Opener Against Bangladesh

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir is reportedly set to make a bold move in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Bangladesh on Thursday. With Bangladesh's top three comprising of left-handed batsmen – Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto – the focus is shifting towards India's spin department. As per reports and visuals from Star Sports, India may opt to drop Ravindra Jadeja in favor of Washington Sundar, a decision that has raised eyebrows ahead of this crucial encounter in Dubai.

In an animated conversation caught on camera, Gambhir was seen discussing the team selection with Jadeja, a moment that experts, including Piyush Chawla and Mike Hesson, believed signaled the veteran all-rounder’s exclusion from the playing XI. Gambhir’s body language suggested that he had already made up his mind, with Sundar set to get the nod over Jadeja for the clash against Bangladesh.

Why Jadeja is Likely to Be Dropped: Jadeja has been a key figure in India’s ODI setup for over a decade, but his future in the XI could be uncertain against left-handed batsmen. India’s spin department is already strong with Kuldeep Yadav, who can spin the ball away from left-handers, and the selection of Washington Sundar offers a different dimension with his off-spin. Given the abundance of left-handers in Bangladesh's top seven, Sundar’s off-spin could prove to be a more effective weapon in this encounter.

Axar Patel, another left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, has risen in stature over the years and could also be preferred over Jadeja, especially given his recent consistent performances. Axar has become an indispensable part of India’s white-ball setup, and this could tilt the balance in his favor for the Champions Trophy match.

India's Spinning Options and Gambhir's Decision: While both Jadeja and Axar Patel are similar in skill sets, Gambhir's decision to favor Sundar over Jadeja reflects his strategy to introduce a more versatile spin option for the game against Bangladesh. The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy presents India with the perfect opportunity to experiment with their best combinations, and selecting Sundar, who has shown his potential as a reliable all-rounder, could give India the edge against a left-handed-heavy opposition.

Conclusion: The decision to drop a player of Jadeja's stature is never easy, but Gambhir’s preference for Washington Sundar is likely to be a tactical one aimed at maximizing India’s spin-bowling potential. With Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Sundar in the mix, India looks well-equipped to tackle Bangladesh's top-order and set the tone for their Champions Trophy campaign. The upcoming match promises to be an exciting encounter as India gears up to make a strong start.