‘Rishabh Pant needs to play…’: India’s Champions Trophy-winning star drops MASSIVE advice to Rishabh Pant before the event

Former India star Suresh Raina, who was a part of India’s squad in the 20013 Champions Trophy winning team, has advised the wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to play more responsively in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, set to begin February 19.

Raina believes that Pant has improved a lot in wicketkeeping, but he needs to play with more responsibility, considering the event to be a 50-over tournament.

“He has improved a lot on his wicket-keeping, Rishabh Pant needs to play with more responsibility because this is a 50-over tournament,” Raina told Star Sports.

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Raina believes that the upcoming three-match ODI series against England is going to be a good opportunity for Pant. The upcoming ODI series against England will be India’s last ODI assignment before the Champions Trophy 2025.

“In the upcoming tournament with England you’ve got 3 One Days, this will be a good opportunity for Rishabh Pant,” he added.

Suresh Raina even stated that if in case Pant manages to play 40-50 deliveries, he is going to be someone who can finish the game for India.

“It depends on how you play, I think if Yashasvi does not play in the top order then Rishabh Pant will have a very important role, he can bat at the fourth position he can also come in to bat before Hardik because if Rishabh goes on to play 40-50 deliveries then he can finish off the game. He has to tell himself that if I play fifty deliveries then I can score 80-100 runs but it is important for him to spend some time,” he further added.

Suresh Raina even stated that if Pant makes a mistake in the Champions Trophy 2025, it will cost a lot, since he has a lot of talent and has the ability to change the game. Raina concluded his words by stating that Pant is going to be the ‘X factor’ for team.

“If he makes a mistake then that’s going to cost a lot because he has that talent, he has got that ability, he is going to be the X factor for the Indian team.”

The Indian team, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, will start their campaign of Champions Trophy 2024 with their series opener against Bangladesh, and will play all their matches in Dubai.