India’s pace depth in question as Irfan Pathan sounds the alarm for Champions Trophy

 
 
Former India pacer Irfan Pathan raised concerns over the former champions’ fast-bowling department for the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be hosted by Pakistan from February 19 to March 9.

The 2013 champions announced their 15-member squad for the eight-team tournament last week, featuring ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, who are still recovering from their respective injuries.

 
India also selected four spinners, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav, which according to Pathan is not a viable option, who instead threw his weight behind right-arm Mohammed Siraj as a backup pacer.

“You need a backup pacer. Mohammed Siraj could have been a good option. In Dubai, playing four spinners isn’t viable. With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami returning from injuries, it won’t be easy for them straight away.

“A pacer like Siraj would have filled that gap. That said, we hope the selectors’ choices perform well, and we should back them,” he said.

Irfan Pathan further backed struggling Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to regain their lost form, asserting that the duo ‘will bounce back strongly’.

“They’ll start scoring runs in white-ball cricket; there’s no doubt about that,” Pathan said.

"Test cricket is a different ball game altogether. Adjustments are needed, whether it's Virat managing deliveries outside the off-stump or Rohit finding his rhythm. ODI is their favourite format, and they'll bounce back strongly," he added.

India squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.