Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan has backed Rishabh Pant to make a huge difference in India’s output in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The marquee event is set to take place from February 19 to March 9 in Pakistan and the UAE.
Zaheer’s comments came during an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz, where he answered questions about Pant’s international form and his leadership skills. Notably, Zaheer will work as a mentor to Lucknow Super Giants, who recently announced the keeper-batter as their leader for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.
After the 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy was announced, there was a debate among fans and the cricket fraternity whether the selectors did right to choose Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson.
According to Zaheer, Pant will be an “X-factor” for India in the tournament, while praising his out-of-the-box thinking and lively character.
“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.”
Zaheer Khan recounts spending time with Rishabh Pant during IPL 2016-17
Zaheer Khan also shed light on Rishabh Pant’s approach during the early days of his IPL career. Notably, Pant made his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals in 2016, when Zaheer Khan led the side.
Zaheer thinks Pant has that fearless approach instilled from his younger days, and praised the left-hander for trusting his instincts to score runs.
“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.
Moreover, the former Indian pacer pressed on the belief that Rishabh Pant’s approach to the game will help the Lucknow Super Giants to perform well in the IPL 2025.
“You look at how his career also has evolved. He has made sure that he sticks to his natural instincts and I think it’s going to be pretty much the same with captaincy as well. 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. That’s the exciting part.”
“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,” he added.
