Kuldeep Yadav Factor in ICC Champions Trophy
The tournament will follow a 50-over format, with each match featuring 50 overs per side, and the final will be held in Lahore on March 9, unless India reaches the final, in which case it will be held in Dubai. Tickets for the tournament can be bought on the official ICC website, with prices starting at AED 125.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19, with India and Bangladesh facing off on February 20, and all eyes are on Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has a good record against Bangladesh, having picked up five wickets in four ODIs at an average of 35.80.
Bangladesh has been preparing for the upcoming match, inviting 17-year-old Afghanistan spinner Jainuallah to their training session to help them counter Kuldeep Yadav's spin. Jainuallah, a left-arm leg-spinner, has previously bowled against India in the nets and received bowling tips from former Pakistan cricketer Shaqlain Mushtaq. Meanwhile, Indian cricketer Varun Chakravarthy has undergone a significant transformation in his bowling style, which has led to his selection for the ICC Champions Trophy.
Varun's personal coach, AC Prathiban, and Kolkata Knight Riders spin-bowling coach, Carl Crowe, attribute his success to his willingness to adapt and improve his skills. Varun's ability to generate dip and revs on the ball has become his biggest strength, and his tactical awareness has also improved, allowing him to outsmart batters. The tournament, which will feature the top 8 ODI teams, will be hosted by Pakistan, marking its first major ICC tournament since the 1996 World Cup.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be a highly competitive tournament, with a prize money of $6.9 million, and the winning team receiving $2.24 million. With the likes of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy in action, the tournament is expected to be a thrilling one, and fans can catch the action live on JioHotstar in India, and on Star Sports Network and Sports18 for television broadcasts.
