Hardik Pandya played his part with both bat and ball in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 for the victorious Indian team. He scored 99 runs with the bat at a strike rate of almost 110. With the ball, he took four wickets at a strike rate of 36. His wickets were timely and often he was brought back to break a partnership by skipper Rohit Sharma.
In the Champions Trophy final, he scored a timely 18 off 18 balls with a four and a six. In the process, he released the pressure from KL Rahul's shoulders who took India home with an unbeaten 34 off 33 deliveries.
Since he has returned into the Indian white-ball team as a fitter player, he has added immense value with both bat and ball. He has often played timely cameos for the Indian team which has resulted in his team's victories.
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Aakash Chopra Talks About Balance Provided By Hardik Pandya In Playing XI
Aakash Chopra after India's Champions Trophy title win praised Pandya's all-round efforts in his recent YouTube video.
"Hardik needs to be spoken about. I have said it enough times and more that he is our clutch player. Whenever it seems like we are crumbling, he has nerves of steel. I have got no idea how he does it. When you observe from outside that it's a difficult pitch and taking singles is difficult, and it won't be easy to hit a six, he hits straight into the stands while standing in his position," Chopra said.
He further spoke about the balance he brings into the Indian team while adding that Hardik Pandya is currently the best finisher in white-ball cricket. India were able to play four spinners with Hardik Pandya batting at six helping the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel to be rotated in the batting-order.
"He has got some incredible skills. I think he could be the best finisher in the world right now. Who brings the balance in bowling? Who allows you to play four spinners? That's only Hardik Pandya. We missed Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. We would have won the trophy if they had been there," Chopra added.
Hardik Pandya will be back in action as the skipper of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025. MI kick off their campaign against arch-rivals CSK on March 23.
