India’s selection of five spinners for the upcoming Champions Trophy has sparked widespread discussion, but captain Rohit Sharma has strongly defended the decision.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he explained that three of the five spinners in the squad are all-rounders who bring additional depth to the team.

The squad features specialist spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav, while Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar are included as spin-bowling all-rounders.

The pace attack comprises Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana, with Hardik Pandya as the only pace-bowling all-rounder.

Rohit emphasised that the all-rounders provide flexibility, allowing India to maximise its strengths. He pointed out that other teams often have fast-bowling all-rounders, so India’s strategy of relying on spin should not come as a surprise.

He added that the inclusion of multiple all-rounders ensures the team has both bowling and batting depth, which is crucial in tournament play.

The absence of Jasprit Bumrah due to injury has placed additional responsibility on Shami, who is still working to regain his best form. India’s preference for batting depth also influenced the selection, as all-rounders like Jadeja, Axar, and Sundar offer dual skills that enhance the squad’s balance.

With the tournament set to be played in Dubai, recent rainfall and the possibility of overcast conditions could affect the playing environment. Rohit acknowledged this but expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to adapt.

He noted that the team’s approach would focus on contributions from all batters, rather than relying on individual centuries, to post competitive totals.

Varun Chakaravarthy was a last-minute addition to the squad, replacing opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. The mystery spinner earned his spot after an impressive T20 season, and his presence is expected to bring an extra dimension to the bowling attack.

Rohit spoke highly of Chakaravarthy’s unique skills, stating that the bowler does not reveal much in the nets, possibly as a tactical approach. He expressed confidence in the spinner’s abilities, emphasising that his inclusion was based on his proven performances over the last eight to nine months.

Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav have both faced injury setbacks in recent months. Shami was one of India’s best performers in the 2023 ODI World Cup, but he has played only a handful of games since then.

The team management’s primary focus has been to reintegrate him into the squad rather than expect immediate match-winning performances.

Rohit explained that Shami’s selection was about getting him back in rhythm. He expressed confidence in the veteran pacer’s ability to regain form, stressing that his past performances prove his reliability in big tournaments.