Zaheer Khan reveals India's X-factor for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

India will begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh.

India are set to kick off their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai.

The Indian team has been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand. India announced their squad for the competition on January 18, sticking largely to the core team that played in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

The Asian giants have been boosted by the return of Mohammed Shami, who rejoined the Indian squad after missing international action for over a year due to an ankle injury.

India will enter the competition as strong favourites, having showcased remarkable consistency in the limited-overs format recently. The team has reached the knockout stages of every ICC ODI tournament since the 2011 World Cup.

Indian legend Zaheer Khan has now identified a player he believes could be the X-factor for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Zaheer Khan identifies Rishabh Pant as India’s X factor for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

In an interview with Cricbuzz, the former Indian pacer Zaheer named Rishabh Pant as India’s X-factor for the Champions Trophy 2025. He emphasized that Pant is an impact player and will be eager to make his presence felt in the tournament.

Zaheer said, “He’s an X-factor player. So, when you are looking at having an X-factor player in your team, it’s going to be an added advantage all the time.“

“That’s why the expectations are on him, and he’s also determined. When you’re looking at him and being part of the team, obviously he’s there to make it count and have that impact.“

Pant has delivered several match-winning performances for India in test cricket but has struggled to replicate the same impact in limited-overs formats.

After an underwhelming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) with the bat, the southpaw will be keen to make a strong impact for the Asian giants. However, his participation will depend on whether India opts to play him over KL Rahul, who was outstanding in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

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