Team India is incomplete without Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, claims former Pakistan cricketer

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali reckons that the Indian team is incomplete without Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. Basit feels that India will need both of these all-rounders in the upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy.

Both Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are key players for India in white-ball formats. Both are highly skilled and experienced and can contribute in more than one department, which gives India a big edge over other teams.

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In the Champions Trophy, India will need allrounders - Basit Ali

While speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali mentioned that India will need both Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja in the Champions Trophy 2025, to be played in February-March next year.

Ali also stated that India needs a proper allrounder in the tournament and Hardik Pandya can give a big boost to the team. However, he also added that Pandya needs to play in the domestic tournaments in order to prove his match fitness for the ODI format.

"In the Champions Trophy (2025), India will need allrounders. According to me, Indian team will not be complete without Hardik Pandya as they need a proper all-rounder. Now it remains to be seen how he maintains his fitness. He needs to participate in the upcoming domestic matches," Basit Ali said.

The former Pakistan batter also named Ravindra Jadeja as another important player for India. Ali claimed that Jadeja has a rare skillset as he can contribute in all three departments batting, bowling, and fielding. According to the cricket expert, Axar Patel will struggle on flat wickets in Pakistan.

"The second player is (Ravindra) Jadeja. Indian team is not complete without Jadeja. He can field, bat, and bowl as well. India will need a player like him. Axar (Patel) will struggle on flat pitches," Basit stated.

"Till now, the Champions Trophy is likely to be held in Pakistan. The pitches in Pakistan are not like in Sri Lanka where the ball turns a lot. The pitch is really flat here. In Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore), you can play shots on the up and you will get fours. The outfield is so quick. You just need to time the ball to hit a boundary," he added.

Hardik Pandya's role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph

Hardik Pandya recently played a key role in India's T20 World Cup triumph. The allrounder scored 144 runs in 8 matches at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 151.57. He played crucial knocks in the Super 8 stage as well as the semi-final against England.

Pandya had a great time with the ball as well. He picked up 11 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 17.36 and an economy rate of 7.64. He bowled excellent spells during the group stage and also bowled the famous last over of the final to snatch a thrilling win for India.

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja has been a crucial cog in the wheel in India's ODI plans. Recently, Axar Patel has risen higher in stature but Jadeja's fielding skills make him hard to ignore.