New Delhi: Team India led by skipper Rohit Sharma departed for Dubai on Saturday for the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The marquee event is slated t0 begin on February 19 in Pakistan, with India set to play their first match in Dubai a day later on February 20. India play Bangladesh in their opening match on Thursday while face arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23.
The warm-up games begun on February 14 in the lead up to the event but India along with some other countries, will not be participating in them as they recently finished playing England in the ODI series, which they won convincingly. The Men in Blue, who are riding high on confidence, would be eyeing to continue their winning momentum in the showpiece event which will see eight teams participating.
Gambhir, Rohit among others spotted at Mumbai airport
Meanwhile, the Men in Blue were spotted at the airport on Saturday ready to leave to Dubai along with their entire staff. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, skipper Rohit, star batter Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were among the names who were seen in the video on social media.
Here’s the video
#WATCH | Mumbai: The first batch of the Indian Cricket team departs for Dubai to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy.
All matches of Team India will be held in Dubai, while the rest will take place in Pakistan. The ICC Champions Trophy will begin on February 19 and will… pic.twitter.com/C4VdRPddyn
— ANI (@ANI) February 15, 2025
Meanwhile, Rohit and Kohli, who were struggling with their ongoing lean patch, came back to form with the former slamming a century in the second ODI against England while the latter hitting a half-century in the third and final match. Rahul, who was also struggling to score runs, scored 40 in the last match which is being seen as a positive sign for the Indian team ahead of the big event.
The management would also be relying on the likes of Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill who showcased terrific batting prowess in the England ODIs. With no Jasprit Bumrah in the event, India’s bowling department will have to showcase their best efforts in the eight-team event.
Team India face Bangladesh on February 20, Thursday in their first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai. They will next meet arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
