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With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fast approaching, cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eagerly analyzing the prospects of the eight participating teams. Scheduled to be played in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 to March 9, this edition marks the tournament’s return after an eight-year hiatus. India, as always, will enter the competition as one of the strongest contenders for the coveted title, given their recent dominance in white-ball cricket.
India’s form and recent performances
India have been in exceptional form in limited-overs cricket over the past two years. Their journey in ICC tournaments has been remarkable, having reached the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and then securing a historic victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. This consistency in major tournaments has further solidified their reputation as a top-tier team in global cricket.
However, their ODI journey since the 2023 World Cup final loss to Australia has been a mixed bag. India has played only nine ODIs across three bilateral series:
- December 2023: A second-string Indian side defeated South Africa 2-1 in South Africa, showcasing their depth in talent.
- August 2024: India, with a near full-strength squad, faced a surprising 2-0 defeat to Sri Lanka on turning pitches that exposed vulnerabilities.
- February 2025: In their final preparation before the Champions Trophy, India bounced back in style, clinching a dominant 3-0 series win over England.
These results indicate that while India remains a powerhouse, they have experienced fluctuations in form. Their ability to adapt to different conditions will be key in this tournament.
Squad composition and key absences
While India boasts a strong squad, they will have to contend with the absence of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who failed to recover in time from a back injury. His absence will be a major blow, as he has been India’s premier fast bowler in all formats, particularly in ICC tournaments. Interestingly, India are the only team in the tournament carrying five spinners, indicating their strategy to capitalize on spin-friendly conditions in Dubai. With this approach, India will rely heavily on their spin department to create breakthroughs.
India’s champions trophy history
India have a rich history in the ICC Champions Trophy. They have won the tournament once outright, in 2013, under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, and shared the title with Sri Lanka in 2002 after rain washed out the final twice. However, they have also faced heartbreak twice in the final:
- 2000: Lost to New Zealand in a thrilling final.
- 2017: Suffered a heavy defeat against Pakistan, a match remembered for Fakhar Zaman’s century and Pakistan’s dominant bowling.
India will look to add a third Champions Trophy title and erase the memories of their 2017 final loss, aiming to lift the trophy once again after 12 years.
India’s group-stage opponents
India have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand. All their group-stage matches will be played in Dubai, where the conditions will favor batting but also offer assistance to spinners as the tournament progresses.
- February 20: India vs. Bangladesh – A crucial opening clash against a team that has troubled India in past ICC tournaments.
- February 23: India vs. Pakistan – The biggest showdown of the group stage, a high-pressure encounter that will test both teams.
- March 2: India vs. New Zealand – A must-win game against an opponent that has historically knocked India out of ICC events.
This group poses significant challenges, as all three opponents bring different threats that could trouble India.
Pakistan: The arch-rivals with unpredictable potential
- Strengths
Pakistan remains one of India’s most formidable opponents in international cricket, and the rivalry between these two teams adds an extra layer of intensity to the Champions Trophy. Pakistan’s greatest strength lies in their fast-bowling attack, which has been their traditional weapon against top teams. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf form a potent pace trio capable of dismantling any batting lineup, especially in conditions that offer seam and swing. Their spinners, led by Shadab Khan, provide balance, while the middle order has shown glimpses of consistency with the likes of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan anchoring the innings.
- Weaknesses
However, Pakistan’s major weakness is their batting inconsistency under pressure. Despite possessing talented batters, they have often struggled in high-stakes matches, especially against India in ICC events. The middle order has been a concern, with frequent collapses exposing their inability to build partnerships. Their fielding has also been a long-standing issue, often costing them crucial matches due to dropped catches and misfields.
- Threats
The biggest threat Pakistan poses to India is their ability to perform unpredictably. Historically, they have been known to pull off stunning victories when least expected, such as their triumph in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India. If their bowling attack finds early breakthroughs, they can put India’s top order under immense pressure. Additionally, if Babar Azam plays a captain’s knock or the all-rounders step up, Pakistan could prove to be India’s toughest challenge in the group stage.
Also READ: CT 2025: Pakistan’s record in the history of ICC Champions Trophy
Bangladesh: A rising force with spin dominance
- Strengths
Bangladesh have evolved from being underdogs to becoming a competitive force in white-ball cricket. Their strength lies in their ability to exploit subcontinent conditions with a well-rounded bowling attack that includes world-class spinner such as Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Their pace attack, featuring Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, provides additional variety and skill in the death overs. Additionally, their batting lineup has matured over the years, with Najmul Hossain Shanto and veteran Mahmudullah capable of anchoring innings and accelerating when needed.
- Weaknesses
One of Bangladesh’s weaknesses is their inability to consistently close out matches against stronger teams. While they have shown flashes of brilliance, they have often faltered under pressure in ICC tournaments, failing to convert promising starts into victories. Their middle order sometimes struggles against high-quality pace, and their lower order lacks the firepower needed to finish matches strongly. Mental resilience in crunch situations remains a work in progress.
- Threats
The biggest threat Bangladesh poses to India is their ability to exploit spin-friendly conditions. If the pitch assists spinners, they can put India’s batting lineup under significant pressure. Additionally, their fielding has improved in recent years, and their ability to create breakthroughs through disciplined bowling could cause trouble. India cannot afford to take them lightly, as Bangladesh has proven capable of defeating top teams in global tournaments.
New Zealand: The consistently dangerous competitors
- Strengths
New Zealand has been one of the most consistent teams in ICC tournaments, often reaching the knockout stages with their well-balanced approach. Their biggest strength is their adaptability to different conditions and their ability to perform as a cohesive unit rather than relying on individual brilliance. Their pace attack, featuring Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears and Lockie Ferguson, is among the best in the world, capable of swinging the ball both ways and troubling top-order batters. Their batting, led by Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips, is structured around stability and aggression when required.
- Weaknesses
However, New Zealand’s weakness lies in their struggles against high-quality spin bowling, especially on slow surfaces. Their middle order sometimes fails to accelerate in crucial moments, leading to underwhelming totals. Additionally, while they possess quality pacers, their fifth-bowling option can sometimes be a vulnerability, especially if one of their primary bowlers has an off day.
- Threats
The major threat New Zealand poses to India is their ability to outthink opponents strategically. They have a history of knocking India out of ICC tournaments, such as the 2019 World Cup semi-final and the 2021 World Test Championship final. Their disciplined bowling attack, combined with their ability to chase down targets methodically, makes them a dangerous opponent. If the conditions favor swing and seam movement, India’s batters will need to be cautious against Boult and Southee in the powerplay overs.
