Ravindra Jadeja Key to India's Hopes Against Pakistan
The Indian team's ability to set a substantial total against Pakistan will depend on the performance of its top order batsmen, with the all-rounders playing a crucial supporting role. The team's transition plans and the form of senior players will also be key factors in determining their chances in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
India's top order batsmen must bat till the 35th or 40th over to reach a substantial total against Pakistan, according to former Pakistan batsman Ahmad Shahzad, who warned that reliance on all-rounders like Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja may not be enough in case of a collapse.
The Indian team's strong top order of five batsmen will be crucial in setting a solid foundation, but the all-rounders may not have the necessary game awareness to handle a situation where the top order collapses early. Shahzad cited the example of the 2017 Champions Trophy final, where India struggled after losing wickets early, and only Hardik Pandya and Kedar Jadhav's 80-run partnership helped the team to some extent.
Shahzad also praised Indian batsman Virat Kohli, saying he will be a big threat to Pakistan despite being in a lean patch. However, India's ODI team faces uncertainty ahead of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to concerns over the fitness and form of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both in their mid-to-late 30s. Critics argue that the team must undergo a transition, prioritizing younger players over veteran stars, to ensure long-term prospects.
The selection dilemma for the BCCI is whether to back experienced campaigners or make tough calls for future planning, with a delayed transition potentially leading to stagnation and affecting India's performance in upcoming ICC tournaments. With the team's reliance on Ravindra Jadeja and other all-rounders, it remains to be seen how India will approach the upcoming Champions Trophy.
