The Indian team has been announced for the Champions Trophy to be played in Dubai and Pakistan. Hardik Pandya has also got a place in this team. Hardik is away from ODI cricket since October 2023. After the injury he had to leave the World Cup midway. But now he will return to ODI cricket after about 16 months through the Champions Trophy. Earlier, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has described Hardik as the most important player of Team India. Akash has put Hardik ahead of even the legendary bowler like Jasprit Bumrah in this matter.
While talking about Champions Trophy on Star Sports, Aakash Chopra has put Hardik Pandya ahead of Jasprit Bumrah and he has also given the reason for this. Akash said, who is the most important player in this team at this time? Who is your most valuable player? I will take the name of Hardik Pandya before Bumrah.
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Further, Akash said about Hardik, if Hardik Pandya is not in this team, whatever be the reason, you cannot play your team well. Because you will play only two fast bowlers, then suddenly you will play three fast bowlers. Then you will play two spinners with them. In such a situation your batting will become shorter. Hardik Pandya is the only player who is a fast bowling all rounder. And I think there will be a need for a fast bowling all-rounder here (Dubai).
Champions Trophy is starting from 19th February. The Indian team will play its first match against Bangladesh on 20 February. Hardik Pandya can prove to be the X factor of Team India in this tournament. Apart from fast batting, he is also known for excellent bowling. Due to his excellent performance with both ball and bat, Akash took Hardik's name ahead of Bumrah. Anyway, Bumrah's fitness remains a tension for Team India. Jaspreet got injured during the Australia tour. It is true that Bumrah is in the Champions Trophy team, but any decision regarding him will be taken only after his scan on 2nd February.
