'Keep an eye on him': India's Champions Trophy hero names rookie who 'could provide real X-factor'

India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh (BCCI Photo)

After an underwhelming show in the red-ball format, Team India will hope for redemption as the focus shifts to white-ball cricket. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 gets underway from February 19 as hosts Pakistan kick-off the tournament against New Zealand in Karachi. India will launch their campaign a day later as they take on Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium.

While the focus will remain on talismanic batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli it'll be interesting to see how the Indian pace battery delivers in the absence of premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah. In his absence, the onus will be on Mohammed Shami, who recently made a return after a long injury layoff and is yet to find his mojo. He'll be supported by Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, who have played just 11 ODIs between them.

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Sharing his thoughts on the same, India's Champions Trophy hero Shikhar Dhawan said the team will feel Jasprit Bumrah's absence "very strongly" but still have a great chance to win the tournament considering their recent form and a host of match-winners at their disposal.

"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 published on Tuesday. "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."

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Dhawan, however, reckons to keep an eye on Rana, who he believes can have a breakout tournament. Rana made his ODI debut in the England series played earlier this month. "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," he wrote further.

India title contenders

Going by recent form and team strength, Dhawan found it hard to look beyond India when the discussion 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 is one of the most successful batters in the tournament's history having scored 701 runs in 10 innings at an average of 77.88. He hit three centuries in the tournament, with his best being 125 against 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."

- with PTI inputs