Hardik Pandya Completes India’s Playing XI for Champions Trophy, Says Kamran Akmal

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal and India’s Suresh Raina highlight Hardik Pandya’s pivotal role in India’s ICC Champions Trophy campaign.

Islamabad [Pakistan], January 20: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has hailed Hardik Pandya as the lynchpin of India’s playing XI for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, calling him “remarkable” with both bat and ball.

Pandya, who was a key player for India during the 2023 ODI World Cup, is set to return to action after an injury sidelined him during the tournament. His all-round abilities make him indispensable to the team, according to Akmal.

“Hardik Completes India’s XI”
“The main player in the Indian team, without whom the playing XI is incomplete, is Hardik Pandya. He is my favourite. He is remarkable with the bat and the ball. He finishes the game as well,” Akmal said on his YouTube channel.

The star all-rounder has played 86 ODIs, scoring 1,769 runs at an average of 34.01, with 11 fifties and a best score of 92 not out. As a bowler, he has claimed 84 wickets at an average of 35.23, with best figures of 4/24.

Suresh Raina’s Endorsement
Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina also emphasized Pandya’s significance for the Champions Trophy, particularly in tandem with spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
“The most important role will be Hardik Pandya’s—when he bowls and whether he bowls in tandem with Kuldeep Yadav,” Raina stated on Star Sports Press Room.

India’s Champions Trophy Campaign
India, led by Rohit Sharma, will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign under a hybrid model. Matches will be hosted in Pakistan and the UAE, with India playing its games in Dubai. The tournament, featuring eight teams and 15 matches, will take place from February 19 to March 9.

India Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:

• Rohit Sharma (C)
• Shubman Gill (VC)
• Virat Kohli
• Shreyas Iyer
• KL Rahul (WK)
• Hardik Pandya
• Axar Patel
• Washington Sundar
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Mohammed Shami
• Arshdeep Singh
• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• Rishabh Pant
• Ravindra Jadeja

Tournament Details:
India’s matches will follow a hybrid schedule, with fixtures in the UAE, including their highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on February 23.

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Tags: Hardik Pandya role, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India cricket squad, Kamran Akmal praises Pandya, Suresh Raina insights, Rohit Sharma captaincy, India vs Pakistan

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