New Delhi: Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has reckoned that the Indian men’s cricket team will start as the favourites to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting on February 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
India are part of the Group along with teams like Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh. The Rohit Sharma-led side will kick off its campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh in Dubai.
The team has recently sealed the ODI series victory against England with a 2-0 unassailable lead. This is the only preparations for India before the showpiece event, and the team will have one more game left in Ahmedabad to finalise its strategy.
India last won the Champions Trophy in 2013 after defeating England in a nail-biting final by five runs in Birmingham. The team finished as runners-up in the following edition in 2017, the last time the tournament was hosted, and Pakistan were crowned as the eventual champions.
With Indian skipper Rohit Sharma returning to form with a blazing ton in the second ODI in Cuttack, Gavakaskar believes that the Indian players are backing each other, citing their cheerful behaviour during the recently concluded BCCI awards in Mumbai.
“A team that is laughing with each other is a happy team that will invariably try and play for each other. That’s why India, apart from the talent that they have, will start as firm favourites to win the ICC Champions Trophy once again,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
Ravi Shastri believes Pakistan can qualify for semis
Pakistan are the defending champions and are also the hosts of the tournament (except for the India matches). The team has started off well under the captaincy of Mohammad Rizwan with success against Australia (2-1), Zimbabwe (2-1), and South Africa (3-0) in the bilateral series played by the Asian nation in the build up to the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand by 78 runs in the first ODI in Lahore. However, former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri said that Pakistan should be able to qualify for the Champions Trophy given the quality of side they have.
“I think Pakistan are the kind of side that, with the exposure they’ve had in the last six to eight months in white-ball cricket, have put up some really strong performances, especially in South Africa,” Shastri told The ICC Review.
“They’ve missed Ayub at the top, and he’s a crucial player. But Pakistan have enough depth to be dangerous, especially in home conditions. I would say they should qualify for the semi-finals and from there, it’s anyone’s game,” he added.
Pakistan will play their next match against South Africa on February 12 at the National Stadium in Karachi.
Sunil Gavaskar predicts India as favorites for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, citing their recent ODI series win against England and team camaraderie. Pakistan, despite a recent loss to New Zealand, is considered a strong contender by Ravi Shastri, who highlights their impressive recent performances and potential for a semi-final berth. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
