Who will win Champions Trophy 2025

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 The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is being co-hosted by Pakistan and UAE. UAE came into the picture after India refused to play in Pakistan. Pakistan could not let the tournament go away, since it was hosting the first major ICC tournament since the last 28 years. The tournament's first match is to be played between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi on February 19,2025. The tournament has 15 ODI matches including the finals. India's first match is against Bangladesh on February 20th at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Now let's discuss about the chances of each team in the tournament. These are based on observations and result may vary. Here we discuss about the top 6 favorites of the tournament.

Group A: India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh

Group B: Afghanistan, Australia, England, South Africa

 

1. India

India start as one of the top favorites in the tournament. The fact that tournament is being held in Asia provides an extra edge for them. They have the strength in their batting and bowling line-up to overpower any other teams. Currently the only thing of bother is about the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah. But, at the same time return of Mohammed Shami provides them with some sort of relief. But, having said that Indian team was defeated by Sri Lanka in the last ODI series. Too many experiments in the lower middle order seems to hurt the team balance. Too may all-rounders in a team can at times be harmful for the balance of team. You may go specialist batsmen or bowlers in place of all-rounders depending on conditions. You can go with 6 specialist batsmen, 1 all-rounder and 5 specialist bowlers. The inclusion of Axar patel, Hardik Pandya and Washigton Sundar in addition to 4 bowlers do not make any sense. But still, if India can make the right decisions, they seem to be the firm favourites.

2. Australia

In the last 11 ODIs, Australia has lost 4 matches and won 7 of them. Australia's ability to perform in big matches give them an extra credit. But the fact that the tournament is being held in Asian conditions and the spin conditions may pose problems to the Australian batters make them  only the second favourites of the tournament.

3. Pakistan

Pakistan has a history of doing well in ICC tournaments and this time too, they will be expected to come hard at the opponents. Pakistan has won the last three ODI bilateral series against Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. They managed to defeat South Africa 3-0 in their own backyard. Pakistan has a good bowling line up and decent batting line up. They are also a strong contenders of the tournament. The fact that the tournament is being held in their conditions, provide them with an extra bonus. Pakistan has lacked genuine attacking spinners in ODIs. They should try to overcome this drawback and strengthen their spin attack.

4. New Zealand

The Kiwis are ranked third in chances of winning the tournament. The Kiwis has managed to win 6 of the last 8 ODIs (with results). The managed to defeat Sri Lanka in the recently concluded series. They have a good mix of youth and experience. The all-rounders Glenn Philips, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell add strength to team. Mitchell Satner has improved a lot in the recent times, as he showed in the test series against India.

5. England

Ben Duckett, Harry Brook and Joe Root provides great strength and stability to the England batting line-up. The return of Jofra Archer to the bowling ranks gives them an extra spine to their bowling armory. England definitely has a great team and can go on to win the tournament if their middle order batting and bowling unit comes up with some consistent performance.

6 South Africa

The result of last 12 ODIs do not look encouraging for South Africa. They lost 0-3 against Pakistan, lost to Afghanistan 1-2, lost 1-2 against India and won 2-1 against Ireland. So they are placed 6th in the favourites list. 

 

 


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