ICC Champions Trophy: 5 surprise picks in different squads
After a lot of debates, discussions and hectic parleys, the BCCI finally announced the 15-member Indian squad for the Champions Trophy. While there are no surprise picks in the squad, the inclusion of a few players have raised eyebrows.
This has been the norm across the 8 teams and there have been some quite offbeat selections made, in a bid to pick players who could deliver the results in England.
Here in this list, we take a look at 5 surprise picks from across all the 8 teams and will try to understand the rationale behind their selection. It should also be mentioned here that all the 8 teams are looking pretty solid on paper and if the teams play to their potential, the Champions Trophy could be a keenly contested affair.
#5 James Pattinson (Australia)
Strongly built and with an ability to hustle the batsmen for pace, Pattinson should have been the number 1 choice for Australia by this time of his career. However, his body has let him down previously and owing to this he slipped down in the pecking order. However, he is fit and the selectors have stuck their necks out by including him in the Australian squad.
The Victorian last played an ODI in September 2015, but has been in sparkling form and has so far taken 24 wickets at 17.41 for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield and has been a shining light for Nottinghamshire in County Championship. Hence, the selectors have decided to go in with form and a roaring Pattinson could be the X-factor for Australia in England.
He now looks fit and comfortable with his action which has allowed him to bully batsmen both in Australia and England and the management would hope he could continue this form into the Champions Trophy.