Table of Contents
Cricket’s fiercest rivalry is set to reignite as India and Pakistan prepare to face off in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, marking the tournament’s highly anticipated return since 2017. The marquee Group A showdown will unfold in Dubai on February 23, following a hybrid hosting model after India declined to travel to Pakistan, the official host nation. While political tensions dictate the venue, on-field fireworks are guaranteed, with legends from both sides weighing in on what promises to be a blockbuster encounter.
Hybrid hosting and historic context
The Champions Trophy, absent since Pakistan’s maiden title win over India in 2017, returns with heightened stakes. Pakistan retains hosting rights, but India’s matches will be staged in Dubai, a compromise echoing the 2023 Asia Cup model. The India-Pakistan clash, cricket’s most-watched fixture, will see Dubai’s ring of fire roar as fans globally tune in for a contest transcending sport.
Star-studded predictions fuel hype
Ahead of the duel, Star Sports assembled a glittering panel – featuring India’s Yuvraj Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu alongside Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi of Pakistan – to dissect key questions simmering among fans.
Top-scorer and wicket-taker picks
- Highest run-scorer: Yuvraj and Sidhu backed Indian stars Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, respectively, while Afridi and Inzamam tipped Pakistan skipper Babar Azam.
- Leading wicket-taker: Yuvraj vouched for Mohammed Shami; Sidhu predicted an Indian spinner. Afridi and Inzamam favoured pace spearheads Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, respectively.
X-factors and emerging talents
- Match-defining moments: Yuvraj highlighted Hardik Pandya’s clutch prowess, Sidhu pointed to Rishabh Pant’s flair. Afridi and Inzamam bet on Mohammad Rizwan’s grit and Fakhar Zaman’s big-stage pedigree.
- Young players to watch: Gill and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy earned Indian nods, while Pakistan’s rising star Saud Shakeel drew unanimous praise from Afridi and Inzamam.
Also READ: KL Rahul OUT, Rishabh Pant IN! Deep Dasgupta picks India’s best playing XI for Champions Trophy 2025
Balanced rivalry or tactical edge?
The experts split on team advantages. Yuvraj cited Dubai’s conditions favouring Pakistan, while Sidhu lauded India’s “balanced” arsenal. Inzamam deemed the sides “equal,” emphasizing match-day intensity. Afridi, reflecting on Pakistan’s 2011 World Cup loss, stressed body language: “After India’s first wicket, their energy shifted… it’s about overpowering the opponent mentally.”
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙄𝙨 𝙊𝙣! 🇮🇳🆚🇵🇰 Ahead of #INDvPAK in #ChampionsTrophy, #YuvrajSingh, #NavjotSinghSidhu, #ShahidAfridi and #InzamamulHaq take their picks, in a fun, rapid-fire round! 💥
Who will ace this #GreatestRivalry? ✍👇
'𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗥𝗬… pic.twitter.com/qzhGr8ovvy
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 16, 2025
Anticipation builds for a legacy clash
With diplomatic hurdles sidelining bilateral cricket, the Champions Trophy offers a rare glimpse of this storied rivalry. As Dubai gears up for February’s spectacle, predictions and past ghosts – like Afridi’s 2011 reference – add layers to a contest where pride and history collide. Whether it’s Gill’s elegance, Shaheen’s yorkers, or a rookie’s breakout moment, one truth remains: in India vs Pakistan, cricket always wins.
