Will Rahul and Shami make it? Toss-up between Axar and Jadeja

KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja’s presence in the side is not a surety for the Champions Trophy starting February 19 even though they were a part of last year’s World Cup.

Out-of-form veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will continue to form the batting core of India's ODI squad but there are at least three senior players whose future in the 50-over format could be debated when the selectors gather this weekend to pick the squad for the Champions Trophy.

KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja's presence in the side is not a surety for the event starting February 19 even though they were a part of last year's World Cup.

Since the final, India have played six ODIs and while Shami and Jadeja were rested, Rahul was included for both the away bilateral engagements against South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Against Sri Lanka, however, he was dropped in the middle of the series after failing to get going in the middle overs. The world is also yet to forget how his sedate half century after using up 100-plus deliveries became a prime reason for India's loss on November 19, 2023, against Australia.

It is understood that Yashasvi Jaiswal has a very bright chance of making it to the ODI squad. His inclusion would ensure a left-handed batter in the top four.

But if Rishabh Pant is the first-choice wicketkeeper, then would there be any point in having Rahul as the back-up? And if Rahul is not keeping, his place as a batter is not guaranteed.

Among his closest competitors, Ishan Kishan hasn't scored enough runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy while Sanju Samson hasn't been picked by Kerala after he missed the initial games.