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Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan believes that young pacer Harshit Rana who has been added to Rohit Sharma-led squad as Jasprit Bumrah's replacement will be the 'X factor for the Men in Blue in the Champions Trophy 2025. The Champions Trophy is scheduled to start from February 19.
Team India are currently in Dubai preparing for the Champions Trophy. They will start their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.
"Harshit Rana has come into the side and I think that is really exciting - keep an eye on him, I think he could have a breakout tournament" Dhawan wrote in an ICC column published on Tuesday.
"I like his attitude, he is a go-getter and he is not afraid of anything. He accepts challenges and we have seen in the England series that he is in form. I am sure he will look to seize this opportunity and, if he does, he could provide a real X-factor for India."
Shikhar Dhawan on Jasprit Bumrah's absence
Dhawan also feels that the Men in Blue will feel Bumrah's absence in the showpiece event but they are strong contenders to win the tournament.
"My concern is they are going to miss Jasprit Bumrah, there is no doubt he will be a big absence and I think they will feel it very strongly," added Dhawan.
"For me, he is the best bowler in the world, and his accuracy is hard to replicate. He is also a very calm character and that is crucial in a huge ICC event like this."
Considering recent performances, Dhawan reckons that India are the hot contender to win the upcoming Champions Trophy.
"There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic for India. They have a very balanced side, especially with the bat – there is a nice blend of experience and youth. Shubman Gill, in particular, is so consistent and he has a big role to play. I think he will have a great tournament.
"Rohit Sharma has found form, Virat Kohli is there; they are a top side and will take some stopping."
Dhawan is also not ruling out teams such as South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and hosts Pakistan, to whom India lost in the title clash in the last edition in the UK.
"I really like South Africa in this tournament as well. They have played consistent cricket and have everything you need to win such a huge tournament – experience, strength-in-depth and X-factor players like Kagiso Rabada.
"I also like Pakistan, they will be hard to beat in home conditions, and also New Zealand – who are just always there or there abouts.
"Australia have struggled in their series with Sri Lanka but they some great batters; Travis Head is in great form, and I'm really excited to see Steve Smith."
India squad for Champions Trophy 2025
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.
