India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy was met with mixed reactions, with many questioning the move to pick five spinners and just three pacers in the squad. India selected the squad hoping the pitches in Dubai will help the spinners, but that's not guaranteed. Also, if the team is bowling second, with all the dew around, the ball might skid and make batting easier. In that case, a quick fast bowler would have been handy.

India are likely to play with two specialist pacers, Hardik Pandya, and three spinners, but former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir feels the move could backfire on India. While speaking about India's squad on Pakistani show 'Haarna Mana Hai', Amir predicted India to make a group-stage exit from the tournament. Amir said that without Bumrah and a rusty Mohammed Shami, India don't have many options.

Ahmed Shahzad, who was also on the panel, backed Amir's claims and said that the loss of Bumrah is a massive blow to India as the conditions in Dubai will help the pacers. Shahzad, however, backed India and Pakistan to qualify for the semifinal. He said that India have players who know how to handle pressure which makes them a favorite to qualify for the knockouts.

India will open their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 before taking on Pakistan on February 23. The Men in Blue will play their last league game against New Zealand on March 2. India would need a win in two out of the three matches to qualify for the semifinal.

India’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy, 2025: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Non-Travelling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube. The three players will travel to Dubai as and when required.

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