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Zaheer Khan names India’s X-factor player for Champions Trophy 2025
By SMCS - Jan 24, 2025 5:30 pm
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Former Indian pace bowler Zaheer Khan has backed Rishabh Pant to be the difference-maker for the Indian team in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Referring to him as an X-factor player, Zaheer added that the 27-year-old will make his chance count as well.

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant becomes LSG captain

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Zaheer Khan said, “He’s an X-factor player. So, when you are looking at having an X-factor player in your team, it’s going to be an added advantage all the time. That’s why the expectations are on him, and he’s also determined. When you’re looking at him and being part of the team, obviously he’s there to make it count and have that impact.”

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However, Rishabh Pant was recently appointed as the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain for IPL 2025 as well. He got a whopping ₹27 crore from the Super Giants at the auction last year as well, making him the most expensive player at the IPL auction. Meanwhile, Zaheer Khan, who will mentor LSG in IPL 2025, opined on Pant’s fearlessness approach since his early days as well.

Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant

“I spent time with him in his early days when he had come back from the India Under-19 side. I was then captaining Delhi Daredevils. Since then, I’ve seen that he’s got a great drive… he has a fearless approach to the game and is always ready to take the game on. The proactive nature is something which we would want to encourage – I mean in terms of decision making. My discussions with him have also been along those lines. At LSG, we would want to instill similar kind of qualities and approach in our squad and the brand of cricket which we want to play. You know, being fearless and having the intent… that’s the kind of cricket we want to play,” Zaheer Khan concluded.