India’s Big Bet: 5 Spinners in Champions Trophy 2025 – Smart Planning or Risky Call?
The Indian cricket team will play all its group-stage matches of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, kicking off from February 19. But what’s grabbing attention is their selection strategy—India has picked five spinners, while Pakistan, in the same group, has gone with just one. This surprising decision has sparked debates among cricket fans and experts alike.
Why Has India Picked So Many Spinners?
The UAE pitches—Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi—are typically slow, but each stadium has its own characteristics. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where India’s matches will be played, stands out due to its huge concrete structure, which affects how the pitch behaves. Former Indian cricketer and ex-UAE coach Robin Singh explains that the Dubai pitch isn’t always the same—some surfaces play slower than others, and the stadium’s shadows also influence pitch conditions. ILT20 franchise Dubai Capitals’ head coach Hemang Badani shared an interesting insight. During the tournament, his team started with four pacers and two spinners, but as the pitch slowed down, they had to bring in an extra spinner to adapt.
Afternoon Matches Could Give Spinners an Advantage – With India’s group-stage games scheduled for 2:30 PM, spinners could play a crucial role. The closed stadium environment in Dubai means that pacers won’t get much swing, unlike Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, where open spaces allow for better air circulation and movement. However, Robin Singh believes there’s still hope for fast bowlers—especially in night games. He points out that if a seamer hits the right lengths, they can still be effective, which could work in favor of someone like Mohammed Shami, who excels in such conditions.
A Brilliant Strategy or a High-Stakes Gamble?
With five spinners and only three fast bowlers, India’s squad selection is a bold and risky call. While Dubai’s pitches tend to slow down as matches go on, putting all their eggs in the spin basket could backfire if conditions don’t turn out as expected. Will this gamble help India dominate, or will it cost them big? We’ll find out soon enough!
