The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is fast approaching, and BCCI have already named India’s squad for the mega tournament. Former Indian opener and current commentator, Aakash Chopra, has meanwhile named Hardik Pandya as the Most Valuable Player for India in the tournament. People expected that he would take the name of either Jasprit Bumrah or Virat Kohli, but he has picked Pandya as the one.
Bumrah has been a consistent performer for India across formats and is currently India’s best in all three formats. Kohli, on the other hand, has been prolific in ODI cricket for over a decade. He was the standout performer for India with the bat in the ODI World Cup in 2023, where India qualified for the final. Meanwhile, Bumrah was the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup 2024, which India won.
I will take Hardik Pandya’s name: Aakash Chopra
However, Pandya lends balance to the side and is the only fast-bowling all-rounder on the side. He picks up crucial wickets for the team and scores runs under pressure whenever the team needs him to step up. The Baroda man was crucial for the team in the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024 as well.
Speaking to Star Sports, the cricketer-turned-commentator said: “At this point in time, if you ask me a question, who is the most valuable player in this team? Who is your most valuable player? Before Bumrah, I’ll take Hardik Pandya’s name. Because if Hardik Pandya is not in this team, for whatever reason, you can’t play well with 11 players in your team. 100 percent.”
He explained: “Because you’ll only play two fast bowlers suddenly. Then you’ll play three fast bowlers, then you’ll play two spinners with three fast bowlers. Your batting becomes smaller. Hardik Pandya is the only guy who is a fast-bowling all-rounder. And I think we’ll need a fast bowling all-rounder here.”
Team India will play all their matches in the tournament in Dubai, as the Champions Trophy will be held in a hybrid model. India have picked four spinners in the squad, and hence the role of Pandya will be very crucial in the tournament given that he will play the role of third seamer in the playing XI.
