The much awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19, bringing together the top eight cricketing nations to compete for the prestigious title.
This edition of the tournament, hosted mainly by PakistanI will see India play all their matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under a hybrid model due to political tensions. As the defending champions of the 2013 edition, India enters this tournament with a strong team, led by captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gil. With a blend of experience and youth, the Men in Blue are determined to reclaim the trophy and once again assert their dominance in world cricket.
India’s key player for the 2025 Champions Trophy
Recently, a former Pakistani wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal shared his thoughts on Hardik Pandya in a live session on his YouTube channel.
“The main player of the Indian team, without him the playing XI is incomplete is Hardik Pandya,” Kamran said.
Akmal further highlighted how Pandya’s role is vital to India’s chances in the upcoming Champions Trophy. “He’s my favorite, he’s outstanding with both bat and ball. He also finishes the game.” Akmal concluded.
His comments highlight Hardik’s significant impact on India’s overall strategy. His performances are not only valuable, but indispensable, especially during high-pressure tournament matches.
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Memorable performances against Pakistan in ODI format
Hardik delivered 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 during these encounters was 132.27, demonstrating his ability to speed up the 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 matches, maintaining an economy rate of 5.13 and an average of 26.87. Hardik’s versatility allowed him to excel with both the bat and the ball, making him a key player in India’s strategy against Pakistan during this period. His performances included hard-hitting hits, tight bowling spells and critical breakthroughs, which contributed significantly to India’s successes in key matches against their arch-rivals.