India: Yes to Trophy but no to Suresh

INDIA will take part at next month’s Champions Trophy with Virat Kohli leading the side.

The squad has been announced after India’s cricket board temporarily set aside differences over revenue sharing with the ICC.

The BCCI had missed a deadline to name a squad but said it “unanimously decided that the Indian cricket team will participate” in the tournament.

Kohli will lead the side as they look to defend the title won in 2013. Former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh are also in the 15-man squad.

There’s more positive news too with opener Rohit Sharma, fast bowler Mohammed Shami and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin all returning after recovering from injury.

One man who is missing out though is Suresh Raina having failed to make the squad. Raina hasn’t played an ODI since 2015 though is impressing in the IPL for Gujarat Lions.

He has an ODI strike rate of 95 and an average of above 35 in 223 matches which includes five centuries, while he has also picked up 36 wickets with the ball.

Raina said: “What can I say now? It’s really disappointing and hurting. I was expecting a comeback call this time.

“I have been performing well and consistently, proving myself in the ongoing IPL season.

“Certainly it is not on the expected lines but I would let my bat do the talking as I am sure of my comeback in the Indian squad one day.”

India squad: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (captain), Kedar Jadhav, Manish Pandey, MS D ho ni( wicket keeper),Yuv ra j Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami

Whether you agree that India should have as much power as they do or not, there is no denying that the Champions Trophy needs them. They are one of the strongest teams in the world and this squad looks like it could go all the way too. Suresh Raina would walk into most other nations’ ODI squads, but isn’t even in India’s 15-man squad!