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 does not play, the team will not worked 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 loaded with match winners including Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant and more.
India recently announced their squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
All have played a key 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 cricket team will play all their matches in Dubai with the first match being played on February 20 against the Bangladesh cricket team.
Although Jasprit Bumrah has been named in the squad, there is no certainty about his fitness. He will miss the series against the England cricket team and it is not clear whether he will play all the matches in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which will be played in a hybrid model.
The Indian national cricket team has named only three pacers in the squad and Hardik is an all-rounder. So, Pandya becomes extremely important for the team in the tournament as he will have to play a vital role for the side with bat and ball if the team has to fancy their chances 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 useful player in the squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He feels that the Indian national cricket team will struggle if the all-rounder does not play. Speaking to Star Sports, the cricketer-turned-commentator said:
“Right now, if you ask me a question, who is the most valuable player in this team? Who is your most valuable player? Before Bumrah, I will take Hardik Pandya’s name. Because if Hardik Pandya is not in this team, for whatever reason, you cannot play well with 11 players in his team.”
Hardik Pandya is the only guy who is a fast bowling all-rounder – Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra highlighted the problems the team will face if Pandya does not play. He said that with the team announced, the all-rounder becomes the most useful player. He explained:
“Because all of a sudden you’re going to play just two fast bowlers. Then you’re going to play three fast bowlers, then you’re going to play two spinners with three fast bowlers. Your batting becomes smaller. Hardik Pandya is the only guy who bowls fast and I think we’re going to need a fast all-rounder here .”
