Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has backed Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya to make a major impact in the 2025 Champions Trophy, predicting that he will have a standout tournament. Clarke, who led Australia to a World Cup victory, described Pandya as a “superstar” and emphasized that he is the key X-factor for the Indian side.
While Pandya’s recent performance against England wasn’t particularly eye-catching with scores of 9*, 10, and 17 with the bat, alongside three wickets, his potential is undeniable. When he’s in top form, Pandya has the ability to change the course of a game.
Clarke shared his thoughts on Pandya during an appearance on the Beyond 23Cricket Podcast, as reported by cricket.com.
“I think one player India really missed during the Australian summer, and who is key to their short-format success, is Hardik Pandya. He’s a game-changer, a real x-factor, and I expect him to have a standout tournament. For me, India are the favorites, and they’re definitely in my top four.”
“There’s no doubt they’ll feel Bumrah’s absence, and it’s a major setback. But looking at the strength of their squad, it’s still incredibly solid. Even without Bumrah, I still have India as the favorites. Shubman Gill’s in great form, Rohit Sharma recently scored a hundred, so he’s back on track. I still see them as the top contender for the Champions Trophy.”
Rohit Sharma and his team triumphed over England with a 3-0 victory in the home ODI series, setting the stage for their campaign in the eight-team tournament. India will kick off their Champions Trophy journey with a match against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai.