Sundar to replace Kuldeep? Chopra wants Rohit Sharma to explore “legit option” in Champions Trophy final vs NZ

India is set to play the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final on March 9 against New Zealand at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India has played all their matches in Dubai, and their spin attack at the venue has been outstanding till now. Once again India will play the final at the same turf, so the team might consider playing Washington Sundar in the final in place of Kuldeep Yadav, who looked out of form in the last match. 

“Spin to Win” India’s formula in this ICC Champions Trophy 2025 

India is playing with four spinners in their squad in this tournament, including Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and two spin bowling all-rounders, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja. The three spinners, Varun, Axar, and Jadeja, have performed outstandingly well. However, the Chinaman spinner has looked out of form in the semifinal against Australia and goes wickless in the match. 

Now looking at the Kiwis squad featuring four left-hand batters, India might consider playing right-arm offbreak bowler Washington Sundar in place of Kuldeep. Sundar also provides a great batting depth to the team. 

Washington Sundar to replace Kuldeep Yadav for ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final?

Akash Chopra, former Indian cricketer and commentator, recently suggested India play Washington Sundar in place of Kuldeep. In a YouTube video, Chopra said, “Washington Sundar was picked because India could have an off-spin variation, and why do we need an off-spin variation? We need it when the opposition has many left-handed batters. Now which team has a lot of southpaws? It is New Zealand. Sundar has already performed well against this team.”

“If we want to make a change in the spin unit, we can play Sundar in place of Kuldeep. There is no hard and fast rule that you have to stick with the same team. If there is any change to be made tactically, then replacing Kuldeep with Sundar is the only change I will make,” Chopra added.