Three reasons why Yashasvi Jaiswal was dropped from India’s ICC Champions Trophy squad despite initial selection—explained

Disheartening yet the truth, the beginning of the year 2025 has not been the best for promising Indian youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been dropped from the ICC Champions Trophy. The Test and T20 superstar, after a long wait, finally made his ODI debut against England in the first ODI.

With not the best of starts, Jaiswal was back in the hut for 13 runs during a short-run chase. After that, he was dropped from India's ODI playing 11, which was followed by his exclusion from the Champions Trophy squad as well.

Jaiswal, who, without having made his ODI debut, was picked for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which seemed surprising; however, what seemed more shocking was his exclusion from the squad and his participation in the marquee tournament as a travelling reserve.

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3 main reasons behind Jaiswal's exclusion from the ICC Champions Trophy squad:

1. Shubman Gill's return to prime form

The opening batter, Shubman Gill, has returned to prime form in the ongoing ODI series, as he marked the second series in his short-spanned career, ending with the most runs scored in a single series and was named the Player of the Series as well.

With Gill's return to commanding form, this decreased the need for another backup opener. Hence, Jaiswal seemed an unnecessary burden in the position, as India looked rock solid with the opening pair of skipper Rohit placed alongside Gill. 

2. Jaiswal's relative inexperience in the ODI format

The youngster has made the hearts of millions of fans wrench with his commanding show across the two most contradicting formats, Tests and T20s.

Having scored a hundred in both formats, Jaiswal is already a veteran in the making, while Jaiswal's inexperience in the longer format of white-ball cricket makes him unsure for such a huge ICC event like the Champions Trophy.

3. Bumrah's exclusion increased the need for two backup bowlers

Jasprit Bumrah, one of India's most trusted aids in the ICC events, has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to injury. These raised concerns for India, as they had to somehow cope with his absence.

Harshit Rana, in the meantime, in the ODI series, has been promising with sublime wicket-taking form. While also Chakravarthy has been handed as a spinner, with both bowlers now seeming important based on the playing circumstances, Jaiswal seems the only player who could be snubbed to make way for the spinner. Though retention of Sundar as the 5th spin option didn't seem a very wise decision made by the Indian unit.

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