Introduction: Will India Shake Up Their Winning Combination?
Sunil Gavaskar’s India journey in the Champions Trophy 2025 has been nothing short of dominant. They have won every match so far, steamrolling past opponents in the group stage and dismantling Australia in the semi-finals. With just one game left—the final against New Zealand in Dubai on March 9—all eyes are on India’s playing XI.
While the team has performed exceptionally well, Sunil Gavaskar has suggested potential changes, questioning whether India should tweak their lineup for the all-important clash. Will India stick with their four-spinner strategy that has worked so well? Or could there be unexpected changes to address areas of concern?
Let’s analyze Sunil Gavaskar’s take, India’s strengths and weaknesses, and possible changes to the playing XI ahead of the Champions Trophy final.
Sunil Gavaskar’s Stance: Stick to the Winning Formula
The legendary Indian batter has voiced strong support for continuing with the current team composition. Gavaskar believes that India’s dominant performances have come from their four-spinner strategy, and making unnecessary changes now could be a mistake.
Sunil Gavaskar’s Key Arguments:
✅ The Four-Spinner Combination is Working
India’s strategy of playing four spinners—Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy—has been a game-changer. The slow and dry conditions in Dubai favor spin bowling, making this attack incredibly effective.
✅ Consistency is Key in Finals
Sunil Gavaskar strongly opposes making last-minute changes to a team that has won every match. He argues that since the current lineup has already adapted to the conditions, any drastic changes could disrupt the balance.
✅ Wicket-Taking in Middle Overs is Crucial
One of India’s biggest strengths has been their ability to pick wickets in the middle overs, thanks to their spinners. In modern-day limited-overs cricket, controlling the middle phase is critical to restricting opposition teams.
💬 Sunil Gavaskar’s Verdict:
“I think it is going to be four spinners. It has to be. Why change now? It has shown how effective they can be.”
India’s Strengths Heading into the Final
1. Unbeaten Record & High Team Morale
India’s confidence will be at an all-time high as they enter the final with a 100% win record. They have comfortably defeated top teams, including Australia and England, showcasing their dominance.
2. Spinners Dominating the Tournament
The slow surfaces in Dubai have been a paradise for spinners. India’s spin attack has played a key role in dismantling opposition batting lineups.
- Kuldeep Yadav has been exceptional with his variations.
- Varun Chakravarthy has been India’s mystery weapon, troubling batters with unpredictable deliveries.
- Axar Patel & Ravindra Jadeja provide consistency and control in the middle overs.
3. Middle Order Stepping Up
While Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have provided decent starts, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Suryakumar Yadav have been India’s backbone in the middle order. Their ability to stabilize the innings after early wickets has been a game-changer.
Areas of Concern: Does India Need Changes?
While India has been exceptional, Sunil Gavaskar has pointed out key areas that need improvement:
1. Inconsistent Opening Partnerships
- Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have failed to provide solid, long-lasting partnerships.
- Gavaskar believes that Sharma needs to play deeper into the innings rather than just getting a quick start.
- Could India consider a more stable opening strategy, or will they back their captain’s natural game?
2. New Ball Wickets Are Missing
- India’s pace bowlers have not been taking wickets upfront, allowing opposition teams to build partnerships.
- Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah need to strike early to put New Zealand under pressure.
3. Lower Order’s Batting Depth
- While the top and middle order have performed well, India’s lower order (Jadeja, Axar, and the bowlers) have barely been tested.
- If early wickets fall, can the lower order handle the pressure of a big final?
Possible Changes in India’s Playing XI for the Final
| Position | Current Player | Possible Change? |
|---|---|---|
| Opener | Rohit Sharma | No change |
| Opener | Shubman Gill | No change |
| No. 3 | Virat Kohli | No change |
| No. 4 | KL Rahul | No change |
| No. 5 | Suryakumar Yadav | No change |
| No. 6 | Ravindra Jadeja | No change |
| No. 7 | Axar Patel | No change |
| No. 8 | Kuldeep Yadav | No change |
| No. 9 | Varun Chakravarthy | Could be replaced by an extra pacer if conditions favor |
| No. 10 | Mohammed Siraj | No change |
| No. 11 | Jasprit Bumrah | No change |
Likely Scenario: One Small Change in the Bowling Lineup?
If India decides to adjust based on pitch conditions, they might drop Varun Chakravarthy for an extra fast bowler like Mohammed Shami. However, given the slow nature of the Dubai surface, this is unlikely.
New Zealand: India’s Final Opponent
New Zealand has been India’s bogey team in ICC tournaments, often performing exceptionally well in knockouts. Their balanced team, strong pace attack (Trent Boult, Tim Southee), and disciplined batting lineup make them a dangerous opponent.
India’s key to winning will be:
✅ Taking early wickets to avoid New Zealand building a strong foundation.
✅ Breaking through their middle order early (Kane Williamson is their backbone).
✅ Maximizing spin advantage since the Dubai pitch will suit India more than New Zealand.
Final Verdict: Will India Change Their XI?
Sunil Gavaskar has made it clear: Stick to what’s working. India’s winning streak has come through a well-balanced combination of aggressive batting and spin dominance. Making unnecessary changes could backfire.
However, if conditions favor fast bowling, Varun Chakravarthy might be replaced by an extra pacer.
🚨 Prediction: India will likely go with the same playing XI, backing their winning formula.
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Conclusion: India’s Best Shot at Champions Trophy Glory
With a perfect record so far, India enters the Champions Trophy 2025 final as the favorites. Sunil Gavaskar’s insights suggest that keeping a stable playing XI will be crucial. However, minor tactical adjustments could still be considered depending on pitch conditions.
India has the talent, depth, and experience to win—but can they handle the pressure of a big ICC final?
What do you think? Should India make any changes, or should they trust the winning team? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
