Aakash Chopra backs Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill to be X-factors in Champions Trophy final against New Zealand

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has backed Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill to be the X-factors for India in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. While Iyer has a splendid record against New Zealand, Gill has veered off the track in the last two matches of the eight-team tournament.

Iyer has scored 195 runs in four matches of the Champions Trophy 2025 at an average of 48.75. The right-hander top-scored with 79 runs in the group-stage match against the Kiwis and played a key role in helping India get close to the 250-run mark.

Against New Zealand, Iyer has scored 563 runs in eight ODI innings at an impressive average of 70.37 and a strike rate of 100.71.

“I think they can be. I think Shreyas Iyer has only one score less than 30 in all ODIs he has played against New Zealand. Every time he scores the runs. The bowling is very good in the middle overs. You get Mitchell Santner and (Michael) Bracewell there,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“You might see Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips as well. However, this guy plays spin so well. He plays spin so comfortably that he gets the better of them. So the focus will be on him,” Chopra added.

On the other hand, Shubman Gill was dismissed after scoring only two runs against the Kiwis in the group stage. Chopra wants Gill to get back amongst the runs and prove his mettle in the big final against the Blackcaps.

“Shubman Gill started the tournament with a bang, he scored a century and was playing well in the second match against Pakistan as well. However, he has gone slightly down in the two matches after that. So he needs to set the record straight as well,” he said.

“If Shubman has to become like Virat, because he is on the path of greatness, so if he has to go there, you have to leave your imprint on the final. So you are absolutely right. If Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill play splendidly, we will write our name on the trophy,” Chopra observed.