India's ICC Champions Trophy Journey Begins
The tournament will feature eight teams, including Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Bangladesh, South Africa, Australia, Afghanistan, and England, with each match mattering, as winners will earn over $34,000. The semi-finals will be played on 4 and 5 March, and the final on 9 March.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to commence, featuring the top eight men's ODI teams, including India, Pakistan, and Australia, with India's matches to be played in Dubai due to safety concerns. The tournament will be played over 19 days across Pakistan and the UAE, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.
India has been grouped with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in Group A, and their squad includes notable players such as Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli. However, Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out due to injury. The teams have been divided into two groups, with the hosts, Pakistan, automatically qualifying, and the remaining teams qualifying based on their performance in the 2023 ICC Men's World Cup.
The tournament marks the first time Pakistan will host an ICC event since 1996, with matches to be played in Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a $2.24 million grand prize for the winning team, with the runners-up receiving $1.12 million, and losing semi-finalists taking home $560,000. The total prize pool has increased by 53% from the 2017 edition, reaching $6.9 million.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is expected to be an exciting tournament, with the top teams competing in a round-robin format. India's matches in Dubai will be closely watched, and the team will look to make a strong impression in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. The tournament will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports, with coverage also available on the BBC.
