The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 returns after an eight-year gap, with eight top-ranked teams fighting it out across 15 matches in Pakistan and the UAE (United Arab Emirates), respectively. With high-intensity games, each team has a game-changer player who could prove to be their X-factor in the prestigious tournament.
For defending champions Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi’s new-ball spells will be crucial. His ability to dismantle top orders early could change the game for his side. India’s hopes will be on star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, respectively. Australia, always a strong contender, will look to Glenn Maxwell for fiery batting and handy off-spin, while England’s Jos Buttler remains their game-changer. However, apart from them, some other players can prove to be ‘X’ factors for their respective sides in the upcoming mega cricket showdown.
Let’s take a look at the X-factors of each team in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
8. Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
Afghanistan’s X-factor in the Champions Trophy 2025 will be none other than the talismanic spinner, Rashid Khan. His lethal bowling, all-round abilities, and leadership will make him a big asset. Though not the official captain, Rashid’s presence in the squad is a boon. Rashid has been instrumental in putting his country on the world map. He recently led MI Cape Town to their maiden SA20 title and also became the highest wicket-taker in T20 history, surpassing Dwayne Bravo’s 631 wickets.
In ODIs, Rashid has picked 198 wickets in 111 matches at an impressive economy of 4.20. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, he bagged 11 wickets in nine games. There will be a lot of responsibility on his shoulders to perform and lead the attack.
7. Marco Jansen (South Africa)
For a team to have success in ODIs a game-changing all-rounder is essential, and for South Africa, Marco Jansen is that player in the Champions Trophy 2025. The tall 24-year-old with his left-arm bowling, bounce, and movement can trouble batters, while his late finishing skills with the bat make him a valuable asset.
Jansen has picked 41 wickets in 26 ODI matches and has a handy batting average of 27.1. His performances in SA20 2025 saw him winning Player of the Series with 19 wickets and 204 runs. He also played a key role in South Africa’s 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final campaign with 17 wickets. His ability to bowl in all phases and play under pressure makes him South Africa’s X-factor in the Champions Trophy.
6. Steve Smith (Australia)
With Pat Cummins likely to miss the Champions Trophy 2025, Steve Smith is set to lead Australia, continuing his captaincy stint after guiding the team against Sri Lanka. Smith’s recent form has been nothing but exceptional, hundreds in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a BBL ton, and over 270 runs in just two Test innings against Sri Lanka.
His adaptability makes him a vital asset for the side coming into this competition. Smith excels under pressure, as seen in his past performances in the ICC finals. If he continues his form, he could be Australia’s biggest X-factor in their hunt for Champions Trophy glory. The right-hander led the Aussies in the 2017 edition of the tournament and scored 86 runs in three games, including a fifty against England.
5. Jos Buttler (England)
Jos Buttler will be England’s most crucial player in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, both as a captain and a batter. England’s recent struggles in ICC tournaments will be an added pressure on Buttler to turn things around. His form has been impressive, especially in the India series, where he has done well while others failed. However, England’s batting struggles have been a major concern.
Notably, this will be Buttler’s third Champions Trophy appearance for the Three Lions. He scored only 15 runs during the 2013 edition and continued the dismal run in 2017 as well, where he accumulated just 94 runs. But this time, he carries the responsibility of leading from the front. With England suffering multiple defeats in ODIs since their disastrous 2023 World Cup campaign, Buttler’s leadership and batting will be key to their success in 2025.
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4. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh)
Star all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz is going to be a trump card for Bangladesh at the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. He can change the game with both bat and ball. Bangladesh will bank on Mehidy for their success at the event.
The all-rounder can turn games with both bat and ball. His recent form in ODIs has been outstanding, with 305 runs at 38.12 and eight wickets at an economy of 4.82 in 2024. His performances in the BPL 2025, where he won the Player of the Tournament award, show his ongoing form. Mehidy played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s 2023 ODI World Cup campaign. With similar conditions expected in Pakistan and UAE, he will be a go-to player for his side.
3. Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)
Fakhar Zaman is back in the Pakistan side and is hoping to do well in the upcoming tournament. The left-hander is set to open the innings and hopes to replicate his heroics from the 2017 final, where his match-winning 114 against India sealed Pakistan’s maiden title. Despite not playing international cricket since the 2024 T20 World Cup, Fakhar is “100% certain” of his return.
With Pakistan hosting the tournament alongside Dubai, skipper Mohammad Rizwan will bank on experienced players like Fakhar. His return will strengthen Pakistan’s hopes of defending their 2017 title. The southpaw also praised young opener Saim Ayub, though an ankle injury sidelined Ayub’s participation. In the ongoing Tri-Nation series, the left-hander scored 84 runs in the series opener against New Zealand.
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2. Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)
Mitchell Santner will lead New Zealand in the 2025 Champions Trophy after successfully captaining the team in Sri Lanka. A dependable left-arm spinner and a handy middle-order batter, Santner’s leadership will be important for the Kiwis. His approach and ability to perform under pressure situations make him a key player.
With the tournament being played in Pakistan and the UAE, Santner’s skills will be vital. His ability to contain runs and strike at crucial times makes him New Zealand’s X-factor. In ODIs, he has taken 112 wickets at an economy of 4.84, with a best of 5/50. The southpaw has also led his team to the finals of the Tri-Nation series against South Africa and New Zealand.
1. Shubman Gill (India)
Shubman Gill’s promotion to vice-captaincy shows the belief the Indian team has put in him. The 25-year-old is in great form, having scored consecutive fifties against England. With 2,475 runs in 49 ODIs at an average close to 60, including six centuries, he has been one of India’s dependable batters.
Gill’s ability to play both pace and spin makes him a crucial asset in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. While his IPL captaincy stint with Gujarat Titans wasn’t remarkable, the national selectors see him as a future leader. His 1,584 ODI runs in 2023 made him a constant player in India’s line-up.
