India Bows Out of Pakistan Tour for 2025 Champions Trophy
After a gap of 8 years, the Champions Trophy will play host to the top 8 teams in the international circuit. Earlier, The Board of Control for Cricket in India, known as BCCI, reportedly verbally communicated to the International Cricket Council, ICC, that India will not be traveling to Pakistan to play in the Champions Trophy 2025.
The eight teams were to play the Champions Trophy at 3 venues in Pakistan between 19th February 2025 and 9th March 2025, but this sudden change would mean that the ICC and the PCB would have to activate a contingency plan, probably a hybrid model where teams shuttle between Pakistan and a second venue.
In other words, according to the recent confirmation by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the host country will not have a hybrid model for hosting cross-border rivals. This is stated two days after PCB’s chairman made the statement. A PCB spokesperson confirmed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) informed them that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided their team will not travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
In anticipation of the hybrid model adoption, several contingency plans were devised months ago. Among the shortlisted countries, the UAE emerges as the leading contender due to its proximity to Pakistan. Sri Lanka is also one of the strong candidates.
The right to host the tournament in 2025 lies with Pakistan and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has been emphasizing repeatedly that if India wants to play the Champions Trophy, then they have to travel to Pakistan, the rival nation.
Hybrid Model Officially Approved
After weeks of intense back and forth following India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the ODI tournament finally, all matches involving India, including the knockout matches, will be played in Dubai. The matches will be played across 3 venues in Pakistan and one venue in Dubai for India matches from 19th February 2025 till 9th March 2025.
India and Pakistan will be clashing in the ICC Champions Trophy on 23rd February in Dubai with the hybrid model set, as the ICC officially announced the tournament schedule.
Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), expressed pleasure that an agreement was reached based on equality and respect, highlighting the cooperative spirit of their sport. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the ICC members for their constructive role in achieving a mutually beneficial and peaceful solution for both nations.
The Champions Trophy 2025 will comprise eight teams, arranged in two groups of four followed by semi-finals and a final. This thrilling competition, which will be the most-awaited 19-day affair, where every match counts in the quest to hoist the iconic white jackets of the Champions Trophy, will see Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan comprising in Group A, while Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa will comprise in Group B.
Sunday, 5th January 2025, will mark 45 days until the start of the event. The Champions Trophy begins with the host Pakistan’s team facing New Zealand’s team on 19th February 2025, the opening day of the event in Karachi, Pakistan.
The Quickfire Event highlights top cricket actions in one exciting day. The first semi-final is on 4 March in Dubai, and the second on 5 March in Lahore. The final is on 9 March in Lahore, unless India qualifies, then it will be held in Dubai. The winning team will wear the iconic white jackets. Also, Reserve days are scheduled for both the semi-finals and the final for this tournament.
Schedule For The Matches:
| NO. | Match | Venue | Date | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pakistan V/S New Zealand | National Stadium, Karachi | 19 Feb | 2:30 PM |
| 2 | Bangladesh V/S India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 20 Feb | 2:30 PM |
| 3 | Afghanistan V/S South Africa | National Stadium, Karachi | 21 Feb | 2:30 PM |
| 4 | Australia V/S England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 22 Feb | 2:30 PM |
| 5 | Pakistan V/S India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 23 Feb | 2:30 PM |
| 6 | Bangladesh V/S New Zealand | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | 24 Feb | 2:30 PM |
| 7 | Australia V/S South Africa | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | 25 Feb | 2:30 PM |
| 8 | Afghanistan V/S England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 26 Feb | 2:30 PM |
| 9 | Pakistan V/S Bangladesh | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | 27 Feb | 2:30 PM |
| 10 | Afghanistan V/S Australia | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 28 Feb | 2:30 PM |
| 11 | South Africa V/S England | National Stadium, Karachi | 1 Mar | 2:30 PM |
| 12 | New Zealand V/S India | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai | 2 Mar | 2:30 PM |
| 13 | Semi-Final 1 | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai* | 4 Mar | 2:30 PM |
| 14 | Semi-Final 2 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore** | 5 Mar | 2:30 PM |
| 15 | Final | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore*** | 9 Mar | 2:30 PM |
NOTE:
Match Schedule
- Match Schedule
- Match Time: All matches commence at 14:00 Pakistan Standard Time.
- Semi-finals
- Semi-final 1: India will participate if they qualify.
- Semi-final 2: Pakistan will participate if they qualify.
- Final
- If India qualifies, the final match will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.
SQUAD OF Team India
Some predictions for the Team India Squad
Rohit Sharma will probably be the captain and an experienced opener who is expected to be one of the most crucial players in India’s batting lineup. Shubman Gill will probably be the young opener who has been in great form and will be paired with Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. Virat Kohli, the former captain and one of the world’s top batsmen, will probably be the bedrock of India’s batting order.
Shreyas Iyer, being consistent in his game, will probably play a major role in the middle order. Rishabh Pant is expected to play, given that he is in great form. KL Rahul will be opening and is the back-up wicket-keeper for the team. Hardik Pandya, as the vice-captain, will play an important role in batting and bowling as well. The team is looking quite strong, and Suryakumar Yadav, who’s in very good form, would be the spine of the middle order.
Ravindra Jadeja is a lead spinner; he would also impact both the batting and bowling. Axar Patel would add some value running down the order as a second spinner. And Jasprit Bumrah has been one of the experienced bowlers; his contribution would be crucial for the Indian bowling unit.
Mohammed Shami, a seasoned pacer, is likely to be a backup and contribute with the bat as well. Mohammed Siraj, an impressive young pacer, is likely to be a backup option. Kuldeep Yadav, the leg-spinner, is likely to be a backup and contribute runs when needed. Arshdeep Singh, the emerging left-arm pacer, is likely to take on the role of lead pacer.
Expected Players for the Champions Trophy 2025 in case of injuries or sudden changes:
Shivam Dube is expected to be a strong all-rounder with his aggressive batting and useful medium-pace bowling are likely to play a significant role in balancing the team.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, young opener, is likely to score big runs in T20Is and can also shine in ODIs.
Sanju Samson is one of the finest wicketkeeper-batsmen and is likely to play match-winning innings, which will make him a reliable choice for a keeper-galloper.
Mukesh Kumar, an upcoming fast bowler, is going to make some great impact because of his speed and accuracy which would help in snatching a wicket in crunch time.
Avesh Khan is going to trouble the batsmen with swing and variations and thus will be a very useful player for the team. These players can well make a great contribution to India’s success in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The ICC has set the deadline for the eight participating teams – England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand,
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan – to submit their squads by 12 January, a little over a month before the tournament begins. India’s squad is expected to be revealed a day earlier, on 11 January. Stay tuned for the latest updates and news regarding the Champions Trophy 2025 and other events and tournaments!
