Suresh Raina Names India’s Best Playing XI for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025; snubs Mohammed Shami

India is gearing up for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, and Suresh Raina has named his best-playing XI for Team India.

Suresh Raina Names India’s Best Playing XI for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025; snubs Mohammed Shami

Suresh Raina, Mohammed Shami (Via X)

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to start on February 19. The Indian Cricket Team is getting ready for the mega event after thumping England 3-0 in the ODI series at home. India tried out various combinations ahead of the start of the Champions Trophy. They will be playing all their matches in Dubai, and former cricketers are making their predictions on what should be the ideal playing XI for the team in the tournament.

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina revealed his best playing XI for Team India for the Champions Trophy. He has picked captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to open the batting for the team. Gill has been in sensational form in the recent ODI series against England. Virat Kohli, the greatest ODI batter, is set to follow the pair at number three.

YouTube video

Shreyas Iyer, who has been batting really well in the format, is at number four. Gautam Gambhir has stated that KL Rahul will be the wicketkeeper-batter for the side, but Raina picked Rishabh Pant instead to bat at number five for the team. All-rounders Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja will follow at six, seven, and eight, respectively.

Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana will be the two main pacers for the side, and Kuldeep Yadav will be the lead spinner for the side. The team will have six bowling options in the form of three pacers and three spinners. Moreover, they will have batting depth till number nine in the form of Rana.

Suresh Raina’s Playing XI for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh

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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma share a joyful moment in the third ODI between India and England

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were naturally elated after India managed to whitewash England in the ODI series at home. They were coming to this series on the back of a 3-1 loss against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Both of them had a poor run of form in the series but found their feet in the ODI series against England.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (VIA X)

Sharma scored a century in the second ODI, while Kohli scored a half-century in the third ODI in Ahmedabad. A fan on X shared a video where the Indian captain and the former Indian captain were sharing a lighthearted moment on the field in the third ODI against England.

Both players will be vital for the Indian team in their quest to win the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. They have been one of the greatest ODI batters in the world and will be looking to put on a strong show in Dubai to win it for the Men In Blue.