Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, who led India to its first-ever Cricket World Cup victory in 1983, extended his best wishes to the Indian cricket team for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Speaking at an event in Satya School, Gurugram, Kapil Dev affirmed his unwavering support, stating, “Always,” when asked to wish the team for the tournament.
Tournament Overview
The 9th edition of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy will be held from February 19 to March 9, hosted across Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The tournament will feature eight teams competing in a 15-match, 50-over format.
- Group A: Pakistan (hosts and defending champions), India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh.
- Group B: Australia (2023 World Cup winners), England, South Africa, and Afghanistan.
India’s Fixtures
India is set to begin its campaign in Group A:
- February 20: India vs Bangladesh (Dubai)
- February 23: India vs Pakistan (Dubai) — a marquee clash between arch-rivals.
- March 2: India vs New Zealand (Dubai)
India’s Squad
India will field a strong and versatile lineup under the leadership of captain Rohit Sharma:
- Batsmen: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
- All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar.
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
- Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul.
Anticipated Matches
The most awaited encounter is the India-Pakistan match on February 23 in Dubai, promising high stakes and intense rivalry. India’s group-stage performance will be crucial to securing a spot in the semi-finals.
As the team gears up for the tournament, fans across India are rallying behind the Men in Blue, hoping they can bring the Champions Trophy home!