3 Indian players who can prove to be the X Factors versus Pakistan in the Champions Trophy clash
The Indian Men's National Cricket Team, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, started off their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on a winning note versus Bangladesh, securing a good victory by a six wicket margin. Shubman Gill with his hundred and Mohammad Shami with his fifer were the heroes of the game as they played an important role in helping their team seal the win.
Following the conclusion of that match versus the Bangla Tigers, the Men in Blue will now prepare to take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their second group stage fixture of the tournament on the 23rd of February at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. Fans across the world will be keeping all their eyes on this mouth-watering clash as the two arch-rivals will be fighting it out versus each other to get the better of each other.
The Shaheens didn't have a good start in the competition, losing their opening game versus the Kiwis at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi in a humiliating manner. Following this defeat, their match versus the Rohit Sharma-led outfit has become a do-or-die game and if they lose in this match, then they will get eliminated from the race of qualifying for the semi finals phase.
The Indians are in good form and they would want to take full advantage of the delicate situation of their arch rivals and they would love to eliminate their arch rivals from the tournament. Ahead of this mouth-watering clash, let's take a look at 3 Indian players who might prove to be the X-factors versus Pakistan in the Champions Trophy
Rohit Sharma
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma's poor form was a major cause of concern for the Indian team management and supporters, but by slamming an explosive ton in the Cuttack ODI versus England, the Hitman showed that he's back in form. He hit a total of 7 huge sixes in that inning and in the Champions Trophy match versus Bangladesh, the 37-year-old played a good knock of 41 runs which consisted of seven fours.
He missed out on a fifty by just nine runs but nevertheless, he showed that he's back in his explosive form. The Hitman's return to form is a warning signal for the bowling unit of Pakistan.
Shreyas Iyer
29-year-old Shreyas Iyer is scoring runs on a constant basis in the middle order of Team India. He presented a tremendous batting display in the 2023 ODI World Cup and cemented his position at the number four position in the middle order. In the recently concluded series versus England, the former KKR skipper scored 181 runs in three games including two fifties.
While he wasn't able to score many runs versus Bangladesh, he is a really talented player and his ability to go after the spinners makes the job of Team India easier.
Shubman Gill
The Prince of Indian Cricket Shubman Gill is in the form of his life in One Day Cricket. His bat roared in a fierce manner versus the Three Lions in the recently concluded three-match ODI series where he slammed a fifty and a a hundred. He was also the top run getter of the series as he amassed a total of 259 runs with the bat.
Even in the Men in Blue's recent Champions Trophy encounter versus the Bangla Tigers, the 25-year-old slammed a terrific hundred and considering the kind of form he's in, it will be really difficult for the Pakistani bowlers to stop him in the Champions Trophy. His excellent form is also going to increase Pakistan's problems.