Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra spoke about the most valuable player for Team India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. What caught the attention of many was that he did not name Jasprit Bumrah and went with Hardik Pandya, saying that if he did not played, the team would not do well.
The Indian National Cricket Team recently announced their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The team will be captained by Rohit Sharma and the squad is packed with match winners including Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant and others.
India recently announced their squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
All have played a crucial role for the team in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and are expected to do the same in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Indian national cricket team will play all their matches in Dubai with the first match to be played on February 20 against Bangladesh national cricket team.
Although Jasprit Bumrah has been named in the squad, there is no certainty about his condition. He will miss the series against the England national cricket team and it is not clear whether he will play all the games in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be played in a hybrid format.
The Indian National Cricket Team has named only three players in the squad with Hardik being the all-rounder. Therefore, Pandya becomes extremely important for the team in the tournament as he will have to play a vital role for the team with bat and ball if the team has to have any chance of winning the tournament.
If Hardik Pandya is not in this team for whatever reason, you cannot play well with 11 players in your team – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra has rated Pandya as the most valuable player in the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He believes that if the all-rounder does not play, then the Indian National Cricket Team will be in trouble. Speaking to Star Sports, the cricketer turned commentator said:
“Right now, if you ask me a question, who is the most valuable player on this team? Who is your most valuable player? Before Bumrah, I will take Hardik Pandya's name. Because if Hardik Pandya is not in the team at the moment, for whatever reason, you cannot play well with 11 players in your team.”
Hardik Pandya is the only guy who is a fast bowler – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra highlighted the struggles the team will face if Pandya does not play. He said that with the Team that has been announced, the all-rounder becomes the most valuable player. He explained:
“Because you will be playing only two fast bowlers at once. Then you will bowl three fast bowlers, then you will bowl two with three fast bowlers. Your beat gets smaller. Hardik Pandya is the only guy who is a fast bowler. all-rounder and I think we will need some fast bowling here.”
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