India will feel Jasprit Bumrah’s absence “very strongly” within the Champions Trophy however they nonetheless have an ideal probability to win the event contemplating their latest type and a number of match-winners at their disposal, reckons former opener Shikhar Dhawan.
While the occasion begins in Pakistan on Wednesday (February 19, 2025), India begin their marketing campaign a day later with a match towards neighbours Bangladesh on the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Pace spearhead Bumrah was dominated out of the event because of a decrease again damage, having taken the utmost load throughout India’s five-match Test sequence towards Australia.
“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,” Dhawan wrote in an ICC column revealed on Tuesday (February 18, 2025).
“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.”
Dhawan is, nonetheless, backing Shubman Gill and Harshit Rana to sizzle within the event.
“At the same time, 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.”
“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.”
Going by latest type and workforce power, Dhawan discovered it exhausting to look past India when the dialogue turned to title contenders.
“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 can be not ruling out groups corresponding to South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and hosts Pakistan, to whom India misplaced within the title conflict within the final version within 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,” he stated.
Dhawan is likely one of the most profitable batters within the event’s historical past having scored 701 runs in 10 innings at a median of 77.88. He hit three centuries within the event, along with his greatest being 125 towards Sri Lanka in 2017.
“The ICC Champions Trophy means a great deal to me. We won in 2013 and then reached the final in 2017, and both times I finished as leading run-scorer,” he added.
Published – February 18, 2025 03:28 pm IST
