India are all set to begin their campaign in the Champions Trophy 2025 with a match on February 20 against Bangladesh in Dubai. The Men in Blue under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma will aim to win their second ICC trophy within a year of winning the T20 World Cup 2024. Shubman Gill is going into the tournament on the back of some terrific form, having scored 2 fifties and a hundred in the three ODIs against England prior to the start of the mega event. Virat Kohli too found some form having scored a fifty in the final ODI vs England. However, according to Laxmipathy Balaji, a 34-year-old stat will be the one who will play a crucial role.

Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to a lower back injury. In his absence, the pace department will be lef by Mohammed Shami who is the most experienced bowler in the India squad. In an interaction with PTI, Laxmipathy Balaji reminded that Shami had out-bowled Bumrah in the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups, and it was he who carried the Indian pace attack before the arrival of Bumrah. He said that Shami needs do well if India want to win the World Cup.

"Actually, he (Shami) had out-bowled Bumrah in the 2019 (50-over World Cup) and in the last World Cup (2023). Bumrah is the champion bowler across formats. But Shami has experience and, before Bumrah's arrival, it was Shami who carried India's attack all through," Balaji said.

"I think it's very important. If India has to do well, then Shami has to come good with the new ball. The kind of impact he can make in his first six overs with the new ball, it will play a crucial role for India," he added.

Mohammed Shami did not play for India for more than a year after suffering an injury to his ankle. He returned during the T20I series vs England, and also featured in the three-match ODI series. Laxmipathy Balaji said that since the ankle injury happened, Shami has been a little slow. However, he has the experience to get over it and will do so once he bowls more.

"Since that (ankle) injury has happened, there was a little bit of slowness, maybe. It's natural. But there is nothing you can do about it. It's part of any sportsperson's career. He has the experience to get over it and he will do it as he bowls more. It's just about accepting the (physical) condition and continuing his best practices," the former fast bowler said.

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