[Exclusive] Harbhajan Singh picks his favourites for Champions Trophy 2025

The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy is set to begin on February 19, with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi. This is the first major 50-over competition in international cricket since the ODI World Cup in 2023. The matches will be held in Pakistan and the UAE.

The legendary Harbhajan Singh recently picked his four potential semi-finalists for the marquee event. Apart from Australia and India, Harbhajan picked New Zealand and defending champions Pakistan as the ones to keep an eye on.

"Australia and India. But you cannot take out Pakistan from such competitions and also New Zealand. So these will be the four semi-finalists according to me," Harbhajan told CricTracker in an exclusive interview from the sidelines of DP World ILT20 2025.

The former India off-spinner was asked whether picking Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Champions Trophy squad was the right move as the Mumbai batter is yet to make his ODI debut. Harbhajan said the he was one of the first persons to bat for Yashasvi's inclusion in the Champions Trophy lineup. The cricketer-turned-commentator suggested that the youngster should open the batting as it will allow India to have a left-right combination at the top of the order.

"I was one of the first ones to be in support of his inclusion and his getting a chance to be in the playing XI. Because if doesn't play now then when will he play, and left-right combination is always right and if you get him at the top then it's brilliant cause he plays freely without any pressure. He is playing very well currently and I think he should be in the XI," Harbhajan stated.

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Yashasvi has played 19 Tests and 23 T20Is since he made his debut in international cricket in 2023. He has been picked in India's squad for the three-match ODI series against England which precedes the Champions Trophy. India captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill are expected to open the batting for the Men in Blue.