Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan has backed Rishabh Pant to be the game-changer for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Describing him as an X-factor player, Zaheer believes the 27-year-old will seize his opportunity.
Pant, one of two wicketkeeping options in India’s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy, is expected to feature as a middle-order batter. With 31 ODIs to his name, he has scored 871 runs, including one century.
In an interview with Cricbuzz, Zaheer emphasized that players like Pant offer an added edge due to their aggressive approach and ability to take the game to the opposition.
“He’s an X-factor player. So, when you are looking at having an X-factor player in your team, it’s going to be an added advantage all the time. That’s why the expectations are on him, and he’s also determined. When you’re looking at him and being part of the team, obviously he’s there to make it count and have that impact,” the former left-arm pacer said.
Rishabh Pant’s inclusion in the 15-man squad over Sanju Samson raised some questions. Despite Samson scoring a century in his latest ODI, he couldn’t secure a place in the squad.
“The proactive approach is what we want to encourage” – Zaheer Khan on Rishabh Pant as LSG captain
Rishabh Pant was recently named captain of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for IPL 2025. He was bought for a massive ₹27 crore at last year’s auction, making him the highest-priced player.
Zaheer Khan, who will mentor LSG in IPL 2025, praised Pant’s fearless approach from his early days. The 92-Test veteran emphasized that they expect him to bring the same mindset to the IPL.
“I worked with him when he returned from the India Under-19 team, and I was captaining Delhi Daredevils. Since then, I’ve noticed his great drive and fearless approach to the game. We want to encourage his proactive decision-making, and our discussions have focused on that,” Zaheer said.
“At LSG, we would want to instill similar kind of qualities and approach in our squad and the brand of cricket which we want to play. You know, being fearless and having the intent… that’s the kind of cricket we want to play,” he concluded.
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