Jasprit Bumrah: The Indian squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 has been revealed, and notably, injured fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been included. While he is a key match-winner for India, his participation in the tournament remains uncertain as he must first demonstrate his fitness. In light of this situation, former Indian opener and commentator Aakash Chopra has made a significant remark. He has identified 31-year-old all-rounder Hardik Pandya as the most crucial player for India in the ICC Champions Trophy, placing him ahead of Bumrah.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9. Due to strained political relations between India and Pakistan, the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for the matches, opting instead to compete in Dubai. Hardik last represented India in an ODI during the 2023 World Cup against Bangladesh on October 19, 2023, at the MCA Stadium in Pune. In a recent video shared by Star Sports, Aakash emphasized Hardik’s role as a fast bowling all-rounder, asserting that he is currently India’s most vital player.
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@cricketaakash has rated @hardikpandya7 above #JaspritBumrah as #TeamIndia‘s most valuable player!
Watch to find out why!
#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar STARTS WED, 19 FEB 2025! | #CT2025 pic.twitter.com/1yw1oYX6VY
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 19, 2025
“If you were to ask me right now who stands out as the most important player in this team, I would say Hardik Pandya before Bumrah. Without Hardik, the team struggles to perform effectively with just 11 players. Whether you field two or three fast bowlers, and combine them with spinners, your batting depth diminishes. Hardik is unique as a fast bowling all-rounder, and I believe we will greatly benefit from having him in Dubai,” Aakash Chopra stated.