5 Indian players who deserve a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy squad

Suresh Raina

Raina is in stunning form and has a great record in England

With an ODI average in excess of 35 and strike rate of nearly 95 with some handy off-spin, it should surprise no one to see that Suresh Raina is one of India’s most successful middle-order batsman. The 30-year-old hasn’t played an ODI since October 2015 but as the selectors showed with the inclusion of Yuvraj Singh earlier in the year, time away from the format doesn’t diminish his chances of making it.

What does help Raina’s cause is not only the fact that he is an all-rounder and a finisher in the middle-order but he is in good form and also has a good record in England. The southpaw is the Lions’ leading run-getter and third overall in this year’s IPL and averages nearly 50 with three fifties to his name. His numbers in England aren’t too shabby either as he averages nearly 40 and has a strike rate in excess of 110 in ODIs in England.

Experience and familiarity of conditions make him a safe bet as India look to reclaim the crown they won in 2013.