ICC Champions Trophy 2017: No Place For Shikhar Dhawan, Hardik Pandya In Michael Clarke’s Indian Team

Apr 29, 2017 at 9:27 AM

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ICC Champions Trophy 2017: No Place For Shikhar Dhawan, Hardik Pandya In Michael Clarke’s Indian Team

The Board of Control in India (BCCI) might have been mulling on whether or not to send the team for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy but former Australia skipper Michael Clarke has named his probable India squad for the same.

With the Indian cricket board involved in a tussle with the International Cricket council (ICC) over the proposed new revenue model, they have missed the April 25 deadline set by the ICC for announcing the squad for the Champions Trophy.

But leaving behind all the uncertainties, Michael Clarke,  who is currently in India commentating on the 2017 Indian Premier League, has picked up his India squad for the tournament which begins from June 1 in the United Kingdom.

Well, the cricketer-turned-commentator have made some surprising choices, excluding the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Ashish Nehra as well as Hardik Pandya from his squad.

With KL Rahul all but out of the tournament owing to a shoulder injury, Shikhar Dhawan was seen as the front-runner to partner Rohit Sharma. The southpaw had played an integral part when India had won the Champions Trophy four year ago in England but Clarke feels Ajinkya Rahane’s proven track record on seaming pitches will make the selectors pick him instead of anyone else.

“I think if KL Rahul is not completely fit, India will not pick him. It is a big loss but India have got replacements. I think Rohit Sharma needs to play and open for India. And then I think the selectors will go for Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane’s technique if the ball is swinging is conducive to England, he is a good player of both fast and spin and offers a lot on the field,” Clarke told India Today.

For the number 3 spot, as expected Clarke named India skipper Virat Kohli followed by veteran batsmen Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni. Kohli is looking in decent form in the IPL but the form of the other two batsmen have not been satisfactory.

Barring the 62-run knock in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s opening match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Yuvraj Singh has struggled to do well while Dhoni has also played only one notable innings- the match-winning 61 run knock against the Sunrisers.

Clarke has picked up Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav for the number 6 and 7 spots respectively.

“No brainer at No.3… Virat Kohli as captain, Yuvraj Singh at No.4. I think Yuvraj has earned his place, he is experienced. I would go with MS Dhoni at No.5. He is experienced and he’s still the best keeper in the Indian team. At No.6, I would pick Manish Pandey and then Kedar Jadhav at No.7,” he added.

In the spin department, he has gone with R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja while the Bhuvneshwar Kumar,Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have been picked as the pacers.

“Ashwin and Jadeja will be my two spinners and my four quicks would be Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who continues to show that he can play in all three formats. Then it’s Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami,” Clarke further added.

If the BCCI send the team to England, then the defending champions will begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 4.

Here’s Clarke’s India squad:

Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli (C), Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami.

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