The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is fast approaching, with the tournament set to commence under the 'Hybrid Model' on February 19. This time, the thrilling matches will be held in Pakistan and Dubai. The opening match will be hosted by Karachi, featuring the host nation Pakistan against New Zealand. Team India is set to play their first game against Bangladesh on February 20.
Aakash Chopra Reveals His Team, Makes Surprising Choices
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has set a deadline of January 12 (Sunday) for team announcements, meaning all 8 participating countries must finalize their squads by this date. Indian cricket fans eagerly await their team's selection, and former cricketer Aakash Chopra has already made his picks ahead of the official announcement.
Aakash Chopra, renowned for his commentary expertise, has chosen Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer for his team, sidelining T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav (Surya) and wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson. Chopra shared on his YouTube channel, 'I believe Suryakumar Yadav will not be part of this team. He hasn't been scoring in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Sanju Samson hasn’t played a match yet. So one hasn’t played, and the other hasn’t scored, hence, neither will be selected. Surya won't be there, but Shreyas Iyer will be. Post-World Cup, he amassed 620 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 112 and an average of 52, including two centuries. He's been phenomenal.'
Source: aajtak
Chopra further stated, 'I have excluded Shardul Thakur from the team and instead selected Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh. Jasprit Bumrah is irreplaceable. If Shami is fit, he must certainly be in the squad and should play against England.'
Aakash Chopra's 15-Member Indian Squad for Champions Trophy:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh.
The Champions Trophy 2025 will witness 15 matches among 8 competing teams, divided into 2 groups. India and Pakistan have been placed in Group A, alongside New Zealand and Bangladesh, while Group B features South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England. Each team will play 3 matches within their group with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals. Matches will be held across four venues: three in Pakistan and one in Dubai. The Indian team will play all their matches in Dubai.
Champions Trophy Groups
Group A - Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh Group B - South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, England
Full Schedule of the Champions Trophy...
February 19 - Pakistan vs. New Zealand, Karachi February 20 - Bangladesh vs. India, Dubai February 21 - Afghanistan vs. South Africa, Karachi February 22 - Australia vs. England, Lahore February 23 - Pakistan vs. India, Dubai February 24 - Bangladesh vs. New Zealand, Rawalpindi February 25 - Australia vs. South Africa, Rawalpindi February 26 - Afghanistan vs. England, Lahore February 27 - Pakistan vs. Bangladesh, Rawalpindi February 28 - Afghanistan vs. Australia, Lahore March 1 - South Africa vs. England, Karachi March 2 - New Zealand vs. India, Dubai March 4 - Semi-final 1, Dubai March 5 - Semi-final 2, Lahore March 9 - Final, Lahore (if India reaches the final, it will be held in Dubai) March 10 - Reserve Day
