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Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised eyebrows with his comments on Suryakumar Yadav’s future in ODI cricket and his potential inclusion in India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Chopra suggested that Yadav might not find a place in India’s lineup for the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
Despite being appointed as India’s T20I captain for the upcoming series in Sri Lanka, Suryakumar Yadav has not been selected in the ODI squad. This decision comes despite India playing only six ODIs, including the Sri Lanka tour, leading up to the Champions Trophy in 2025.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, in a recent press conference ahead of the team’s departure, clarified that Yadav was not chosen for the ODI squad. He emphasized the team’s confidence in Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant for the middle-order roles in ODIs. Agarkar assured that Yadav remains an integral part of the T20I setup for the upcoming series.
Aakash Chopra recently addressed Suryakumar Yadav’s status in the ODI format in a video posted on his YouTube channel. He pointed out that according to insights from new head coach Gautam Gambhir and selector Ajit Agarkar, Yadav is presently not in contention for India’s ODI plans. Chopra went on to suggest that Yadav’s exclusion from the squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy appears increasingly likely based on these indications.
“Suryakumar Yadav was a part of the team that reached the final of the last (2023 ODI) World Cup. He was part of this (2024 T20) World Cup as well, the (David Miller) catch he took but he is now not part of the ODI team,” Chopra said.
“A question was asked about that and he said that Suryakumar Yadav is a phenomenal and special player but he will be seen playing in T20Is only and is currently not being considered in ODIs. So if he is not being considered and the Champions Trophy is about to come, you can assume that Suryakumar Yadav won’t be seen there,” he added.
Since the 2023 World Cup final, where India faced defeat against Australia, Suryakumar Yadav has been absent from the ODI lineup. In that crucial match in Ahmedabad, the right-handed batsman contributed 18 runs from 28 deliveries. Across his career in ODIs for India, Yadav has featured in 37 matches, amassing 773 runs with an average of 25.76, which includes four half-centuries.
Aakash Chopra, the former cricketer now commentator, emphasized that Shubman Gill is poised to assume the role of India’s vice-captain for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Chopra underscored Gill’s versatility and consistent performances across different formats as strong credentials that justify his selection as vice-captain.
“However, Shubman Gill will be seen there. He (Agarkar) said that he (Gill) is a three-format player and Gautam (Gambhir) believes it’s not a bad thing if he can get three-format players. They have also liked his captaincy in the IPL and against Zimbabwe, and that’s why he has been made the ODI vice-captain,” Chopra further stated.
Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain for India’s upcoming T20I and ODI series in Sri Lanka. Recently, Gill guided the team to a commanding 4-1 series triumph in T20Is against Zimbabwe. India’s tour of Sri Lanka includes three T20Is and three ODIs, kicking off with the first T20I in Pallekele on July 27th.
