Ruturaj Gaikwad and 2 Other IPL Captains Likely to Miss Champions Trophy 2025
With the Champions Trophy returning after an eight-year break, fans are debating India’s squad for it. India, the runners-up of the last edition and 2023 World Cup finalists, are favorites for the 2025 Champions Trophy. A hybrid hosting model is in place. India’s matches are in Dubai; the rest are in Pakistan. The tournament will capture global attention.
India’s cricket talent is vast. So, some big names will likely miss the cut. Three IPL franchise captains may not make the Champions Trophy squad. Despite their success in domestic and IPL matches, they are unlikely to be included.
1. Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan Royals since 2021, has been in fine form over the past couple of years. Samson grabbed attention with three T20I centuries in five matches. He also scored a century in his last ODI appearance.
Yet, Samson’s chances of making the Champions Trophy squad appear slim. Despite his strong performances, he was left out of the ODI series against Sri Lanka. The team management favored KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant for the wicketkeeping-batter roles.
Samson’s exclusion is partly due to his absence from the Vijay Hazare Trophy. This hurt his chances of a comeback. Rahul has a great ODI record. Pant is famous in white-ball cricket. So, Samson may sit out this big tournament.
2. Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad, the CSK captain, is a star in domestic cricket and the IPL. His international appearances are few. His ODI average of 19.16 has not helped his case.
Gaikwad scored 148 off 74 balls against Services in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It was a stunning innings. But, he is inconsistent. He faces tough competition for a spot in India’s top-order batting lineup.
The selectors prefer established top-order options like Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. This has left Gaikwad on the fringes. Unless there’s a late twist in the selection, the CSK skipper may have to wait longer for a spot in India’s ODI squad.
3. Rajat Patidar
Rajat Patidar is a key player for RCB. He’s a candidate to captain RCB in IPL 2025. But, he’s unlikely to make the Champions Trophy squad. Patidar has excelled as a batter and leader for Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket. He scored a brilliant 132 against Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
His inconsistency and lack of play (one ODI since 2023) make him a long shot for the Champions Trophy. The selectors will likely prefer experienced players over Patidar. He has yet to prove himself at the international level.
Why These IPL Captains Might Miss Out
Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rajat Patidar have excelled in the IPL and in domestic cricket. But, the competition for spots on the Indian team is fierce. The Champions Trophy is a high-stakes tournament. It needs a squad of proven international performers. So, the selectors will likely favor experienced players who have shone on the big stage.
As India aims for glory in the 2025 Champions Trophy, the trio must hone their skills. They’ll have to wait for future chances to represent the nation.