Former Pakistan cricketer identifies India’s leading player in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The long awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will begin on February 19, bringing together the top eight cricketing nations to compete for the prestigious title.

This edition of the tournament, being hosted mainly by Pakistanwill see India playing all their matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under a hybrid model due to political tensions. As the reigning champions of the 2013 edition, India enter this tournament with a strong squad, led by captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill. With a mix of experience and youth, the Men in Blue are determined to reclaim the trophy and mark their dominance in world cricket once again.

India’s key player for Champions Trophy 2025

Recently, the former Pakistani batsman Kamran Akmal shared his thoughts on Hardik Pandya during a live session on his YouTube channel.

“The main player of the Indian team, without him the playing eleven is incomplete is Hardik Pandya,” he added. Kamran said.

Akmal further highlighted how vital Pandya’s role is to India’s chances in the upcoming Champions Trophy. “He is my favorite, he is remarkable with the bat and the ball. He also finishes the game,” Akmal concluded.

His comments highlight the significant impact Hardik has on India’s overall strategy. His performances are not only valuable, but indispensable, especially in high-pressure tournament matches.

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Memorable performances against Pakistan in ODI format

Hardik has had several memorable performances against Pakistan from 2017 to 2023. In T20Is, he played 7 matches and scored 209 runs at an impressive average of 69.66, with an individual best score of 87. His strike rate in these matchups was 132.27, showing his ability to speed up innings. With the ball, Hardik also contributed, picking up crucial wickets, with figures of 2/34 being one of his standout performances.

He bowled 41.5 overs in these games, maintaining an economy rate of 5.13 and an average of 26.87. Hardik’s versatility allowed him to excel with both bat and ball, making him a key player in India’s strategy against Pakistan during this period. His performances included impactful knocks, tight bowling spells and critical breakthroughs, which contributed significantly to India’s successes in key matches against their arch-rivals.

READ also: Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman predicts his four Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finalists