The Indian management recently named the team for the Champions Trophy 2025, which is scheduled to start on February 19. Following the announcement, former India star Suresh Raina weighed in on who would be India’s X-factor player at the ICC event.

While India have quite a few stalwarts in the squad, there is one name that Raina believes can make the difference as he can single-handedly defeat any attack on his day.

The 38-year-old veteran opted for dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and tagged him as India’s X-factor player to watch out for.

Raina said on Star Sports: “If he (Rishabh Pant) makes a mistake then it will cost a lot because he has that talent, he has that ability, he will be the X factor for the Indian team.”

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Suresh Raina predicts the role Rishabh Pant can play in Champions Trophy 2025

Suresh also highlighted that Pant’s wicket-keeping standards have improved and he can also take on the finisher’s role in the team.

The former left-hander added: “He has improved a lot in wicketkeeping, Rishabh Pant needs to play with more responsibility because this is a 50-over tournament. Rishabh Pant will have a very important role, he can bat at the fourth position and he can also come in to bat before Hardik because if Rishabh continues to hit 40-50 deliveries then he can finish the game.”

Rishabh Pant, who last played in an ICC 50-over tournament in 2019 during the ODI World Cup, hopes to fulfill India’s goal of regaining the title after a wait of 11 years. Pant, however, will have to show something special as his record in the format is mediocre at best with 871 runs in 31 matches at 33.5.

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