The world’s top-ranked ODI staff, the holders and the 2000 champions firming as favourites to carry the trophy as soon as once more.
Satisfaction, bragging rights and a $2.24m winner’s cheque will probably be on the road when the world’s prime eight one-day worldwide groups meet within the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, starting on Wednesday.
Pakistan gained the final version in 2017, defeating India within the remaining at The Oval in England. This time round, Pakistan will look to have a good time the return of a significant ICC occasion to their nation after 29 years by profitable the crown in entrance of an adoring residence crowd.
In the meantime, T20 world champions India can have their eyes set on avenging that devastating 180-run defeat to Pakistan eight years in the past and are eyeing a second successive ICC title in two years.
Unassuming New Zealand will rely themselves amongst the contenders after their spectacular win within the tri-nation sequence hosted in Pakistan, which additionally included South Africa.
Australia’s lack of their talismanic captain Pat Cummins, in addition to Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh, has seen them hunch into disarray and out of competition for the title.
Right here’s a take a look at the three favourites for victory on the ICC Champions Trophy:
India
Greatest outcome: Champions (2002, 2013)
ODI rating: 1
Gamers to look at: Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya
The 50-over World Cup in 2023 was set to be India’s crowning glory on residence soil, till Australia turned the tables on the undefeated host nation and walked away with the title on November 19, 2023.
Rohit Sharma’s males brushed apart that crushing remaining loss, regrouped, and simply seven months later have been topped T20 world champions.
Prior to now yr, India have been in scintillating type in restricted overs cricket, managing to separate their dismal Take a look at performances to maintain dominating opposing groups in T20 and ODI codecs.
Their latest 3-0 drubbing of England in a house ODI sequence, in addition to the prolific run-scoring type of top-order batter Shubman Gill, make India the main contenders for the Champions Trophy title. Kuldeep Yadav’s wily leg-break bowling and Hardik Pandya’s ever-reliable all-round type make the two-time champions the facet to beat within the star-studded eight-team event.
Pakistan
Greatest outcome: Champions (2017)
ODI rating: 3
Gamers to look at: Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman
Pakistan cricket’s unending rollercoaster experience of coach and captain sackings, embarrassing losses and inexplicable wins make any predictions on their efficiency appear silly. Nonetheless, the lads in inexperienced will relish the chance of profitable their first ICC title at residence and supply some respite to their devoted followers.
Pakistan have gained their final three bilateral ODI sequence away from residence, together with a 2-1 conquer world champions Australia and a 3-0 trouncing of a formidable South Africa facet.
Mohammad Rizwan’s staff boast an array of match-winning gamers, together with star batter Babar Azam, quick bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and hero of their 2017 title-winning run, Fakhar Zaman. Ought to all three gamers discover their finest type in entrance of a passionate and cricket-deprived residence crowd, Pakistan can have greater than a puncher’s probability of retaining the title they gained eight years in the past.
New Zealand
Greatest outcome: Champions (2000)
ODI rating: 4
Gamers to look at: Kane Williamson, Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner
New Zealand have discovered themselves within the knockout levels of all however one of many final 5 ICC limited-overs World Cups however have but to take advantage of their probabilities.
The Blackcaps haven’t gained an ICC event because the 2000 version of the Champions Trophy, however beneath the shrewd management of all-rounder Mitchell Santner and the return to type of former captain Kane Williamson, New Zealand will probably be assured of turning the tide this time.
They enter the event on the again of a cushty tri-nation sequence win in Pakistan. Their prime batters have rediscovered run-scoring type and their tempo bowlers have managed to sneak in wickets on the proper time.
New Zealand’s health and fielding requirements will probably be an added benefit after they face-off in opposition to prime South Asian sides on the event.
