Suresh Raina urges Rishabh Pant to “Play with more responsibility” at ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has emphasized the importance of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant in the Indian squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Raina believes Pant has the potential to be a game-changer but must adopt a more responsible approach to maximize his impact in the tournament.

Speaking on Star Sports Press Room, Raina highlighted Pant’s growth as a wicketkeeper and his potential role as a key player in India’s lineup. “Rishabh Pant needs to play with more responsibility because this is a 50-over tournament. If he spends time on the crease and faces 40-50 deliveries, he can finish games for India,” Raina stated. He further noted that Pant’s ability to bat at number four or ahead of Hardik Pandya could be pivotal for the team’s success.

Raina also mentioned that Pant’s performance in the upcoming series against England, which includes five T20Is and three ODIs, will be crucial for his preparation. He stressed the importance of minimizing mistakes, adding, “If he makes a mistake, it’s going to cost a lot because he has the talent and ability to be the X factor for the team.”

Since his ODI debut against the West Indies in 2018, Pant has scored 871 runs in 31 matches at a strike rate of 106.21. However, his recent form has been inconsistent. In his last ODI against Sri Lanka in 2024, he managed just six runs at a strike rate of 66.66. The upcoming matches will provide him with an opportunity to regain form and prove his worth ahead of the Champions Trophy.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held from February 19 to March 9 across Pakistan and the UAE, with India playing all their matches in Dubai under a hybrid model. The tournament will feature eight teams competing in 15 matches. India will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by a marquee clash against Pakistan on February 23. Their final group stage match will be against New Zealand on March 2.

Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma recently announced India’s 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy and the ODI series against England. The team will look to finalize its preparations in the white-ball series before heading into the global tournament.

India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.