Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir dropped a huge bold prediction ahead of the start of the Champions Trophy 2025, predicting that Team India would not make the semi-final stage of the tournament. Amir – a Champions Trophy winner with Pakistan in 2017 – stated that Jasprit Bumrah‘s absence would prove to be decisive in this regard, and it would ultimately mean that India fail to qualify from the group stage. Amir backed both Pakistan and New Zealand to beat India in Dubai conditions.

Speaking on Pakistan-based show ‘Haarna Mana Hai‘, Amir emphasized that New Zealand boast the most balanced side in Group A.

“I think New Zealand are the most balanced side in Group A. Not even India,” Amir stated.

“In my opinion, New Zealand and Pakistan will qualify from Group A,” he said.

“I think India are massively disadvantaged due to the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Mohammed Shami has just returned from injury, and isn’t bowling like the Shami of old. I don’t think you can rely on him,” Amir reasoned.

“New Zealand are performing well with the bat, their fast bowling is in form, and all three spinners – Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips – are delivering,” Amir explained.

“I think New Zealand will beat India in Dubai. Given the form they’re in, I think they’ll beat India in Dubai,” Amir said.

India boast a superb record in the Champions Trophy, having won the 2013 edition and reached the final in 2017. India also dominantly reached the 2023 World Cup final, and thrashed England 3-0 in the home ODI series ahead of the tournament.

On the other hand, New Zealand beat Pakistan twice en route to a tri-nation series victory over them and South Africa.

Champions Trophy 2025

India enter Champions Trophy 2025 as one of the favourites for the trophy, and they will also have the fortune of playing all their games at one particular venue, in Dubai.

On the other hand, Pakistan enter the tournament as the reigning champions, having won it in 2017, beating India in the final.

Champions Trophy 2025 holds increased significance for Pakistan as it marks the return of a major ICC event on Pakistan soil for the first time in nearly three decades, since they co-hosted the 1996 World Cup alongside India and Sri Lanka.

India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh form Group A, while world champions Australia, England, South Africa and Afghanistan are in Group B.

File photo of Jasprit Bumrah

Team India will miss the services of Jasprit Bumrah in the Champions Trophy 2025 after the pacer was unable to recover in time from a back injury. However, India will enjoy the return of fellow pacer Mohammed Shami, who has successfully returned to action over the T20Is and ODIs against England. Shami was India’s highest wicket-taker in the 2023 World Cup, and former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji believes that he could ensure that India do not miss Bumrah during the Champions Trophy. Balaji, in fact, even made a bold statement.

“Actually, he (Shami) had out-bowled Bumrah in the 2019 (50-over World Cup) and in the last World Cup (2023). Bumrah is the champion bowler across formats. But Shami has experience and, before Bumrah’s arrival, it was Shami who carried India’s attack all through,” Balaji said, speaking to PTI.

Shami went on a rampage during the 2023 World Cup, picking up 24 wickets in just seven games, finishing as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament.

In the 2019 World Cup, Shami played only four games but took 14 wickets, just four less than Bumrah, who played five matches more.

Balaji emphasized that Shami’s performances hold the key for India in the Champions Trophy 2025.

“I think it’s very important. If India has to do well, then Shami has to come good with the new ball. The kind of impact he can make in his first six overs with the new ball, it will play a crucial role for India,” Balaji added.

The major worry regarding Shami remains the fact that the 34-year-old still shows off a bit of rustiness despite playing two T20Is and two ODIs, as well as a host of domestic games.

However, Balaji expressed confidence in the fact that Shami can overcome this issue and get back to his best.

“Since that (ankle) injury has happened, there was a little bit of slowness, maybe. It’s natural. But there is nothing you can do about it. It’s part of any sportsperson’s career,” Balaji said.

“He has the experience to get over it and he will do it as he bowls more. It’s just about accepting the (physical) condition and continuing his best practices,” Balaji added.

In Bumrah’s absence, India captain Rohit Sharma can pick among Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and all-rounder Hardik Pandya to formulate his pace attack. One of Arshdeep or Harshit is expected to feature in the playing XI alongside Shami.

India open their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20.

India, the reigning ICC Men’s T20 World Cup winners, enter the Champions Trophy with a 3-0 series sweep over England. The batters impressed with their scintillating knocks, while the bowlers were at their proficient best to bamboozle the England batters. With all their matches in Dubai, India will be keen to continue the good momentum they have right now into going all the way towards the Champions Trophy. Here’s a SWOT analysis from IANS on the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team taking part in the Champions Trophy happening for the first time after 2017.

Strength: Undoubtedly, India’s main strength lies in their top four powerful batters. Captain Rohit Sharma showed parks of his ultra-attacking way of playing in the first ten overs while hitting 119 in Cuttack, while Shubman Gill stepped up to hit a fine century in Ahmedabad. The Rohit-Gill opening combination has been the most productive pairing for India.

Since joining forces in 2023, Rohit and Gill have made 1874 runs as an opening pair in 27 innings, averaging 72.07, including six 100-plus and 11 fifty-plus stands, making for a highly useful opening combination for the Indian team in 50-over cricket.

Virat Kohli also got a fifty in Ahmedabad to add more confidence in India’s ability to control middle overs with the bat, while Shreyas Iyer has stepped up as a very solid number four batter. With Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja batting deep and in good current all-round form, it augurs well for the Indian team in their quest to register competitive scores in Dubai.

Weakness: With no Jasprit Bumrah, it means India are without a game-changing fast-bowling force who could turn around the game in a jiffy in any phase of the game. His absence is a body blow for India, as they would look up to Pandya, Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh to step up.

Another pocket of weakness India have is diluting the powers of KL Rahul. It’s no secret that Rahul has been a handy run-scorer at number five. But with head coach Gautam Gambhir’s liking for left-right combination taking precedence, it has meant Axar has batted at that slot.

Rahul, meanwhile, has been pushed to number six, a place where his recent returns have gone down. A decision like this might backfire if India collapses like a pack of cards in the quest of getting fast runs in their batting innings.

Opportunity: India last won the Champions Trophy in 2013, when MS Dhoni was at the helm. Since then, they have reached two semi-finals and as many finals in 50-over ICC events. While they missed a home ODI World Cup win in 2023 and another Champions Trophy triumph in 2017, they now have a golden chance to make up for it in Dubai.

A Champions Trophy triumph will give Rohit another ICC trophy after winning T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies last year, while the win will also ensure a big result is in Gambhir’s kitty after having a tumultuous time in his coaching stint so far.

Threat: By picking five spinners in Axar, Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, India have decided to keep all options open in terms of bowling composition. It’s clear that they are going in with an intention to play three spinners in their playing eleven, especially with Dubai coming off hosting ILT20 matches earlier this month.

But what if they are asked to defend totals, and dew sets in the evening in Dubai, it would mean that their spin-pronged strategy would backfire, which then poses a big threat to their chances of winning the tournament.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, and Varun Chakravarthy.

Harshit Rana has been the flavour of the season as far as India’s emerging crop of fast bowlers is concerned but one of head coach Gautam Gambhir‘s finds is unlikely to start in India’s playing eleven in the Champions Trophy with Arshdeep Singh still considered way ahead in terms of talent and quality. The Indian team management gave Harshit all three ODIs against England, and if one is absolutely fair to the burly 6-feet-2-inch tall Delhi speedster, he has not looked out of place.

While Arshdeep enjoys a better economy rate of 5.17 compared to Harshit’s 6.95 per over, it is the former’s ability to bring the ball back into the right-handers during the Powerplay overs that will tilt the scales in his favour in the tournament starting February 19.

Arshdeep, who also has only nine ODIs since he made his debut in a short ODI series in New Zealand in 2022, will be ahead on most counts when one looks at the parameters that would be taken into account based on the conditions available at the Dubai International Stadium.

“Harshit has improved by leaps and bounds in terms of reducing his weight and has become sharper in terms of speed. But if I had to choose one among the two as Mohammed Shami’s partner, it has to be Arshdeep as he can swing the ball both ways and is a left-armer.

“I would be a trifle surprised if Harshit starts ahead of Arshdeep,” former national selector Devang Gandhi, who has also seen Rana from close quarters as Delhi Ranji coach, told PTI.

India will start with a clash against Bangladesh on February 20 here.

It is understood that Harshit started in all three games against England because the team management, currently helmed by Gautam Gambhir, wanted to check out if his protege could be considered as Jasprit Bumrah‘s replacement, and also this was the only series where Shami’s fitness could also have been tested in real terms.

Hence, Arshdeep was rested in the first two games and only got a chance when the think-tank decided to rest Shami, who had played back to back ODIs.

Former India opener WV Raman, one of the most respected coaches in the country, feels experience will be a key factor which should go in favour of the Punjab pacer.

“Arshdeep, due to his relative experience and the left arm being a different dimension, has an advantage. The Dubai track will be decent for the pacers,” Raman observed.

He also raised a key point about playing multi-nation event compared to bilateral series.

“A bit more experience always helps in ICC events, which is a different ball game from bilaterals. In ICC event, you will play different opposition every day and accordingly an experienced bowler changes his plans,” said Raman, who has also been India U-19 batting coach and head coach of the national women’s team.

Gandhi, on his part, also pointed out the options Arshdeep brings to the table in various phases of the match.

“Harshit hits deck and gets it to move a bit both ways after pitching along with those effective occasional heavy balls in the range of mid 140s. But when you have Arshdeep, he can swing the new ball and also use angles of the crease effectively when he comes round the wicket during death overs,” he explained.

An NCA Level 2 coach, who had watched the India U-19 team play in Dubai during the Asia Cup, had observed that there is at least five to six inches more bounce on offer at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

“If you have that shade extra bounce for a swing bowler then playing Arshdeep is a no-brainer. Harshit is a good talent but if Shami is fit, then Arshdeep, for variation, experience and game awareness partners him,” the former NCA coach said. 

Australia spinner Matt Kuhnemann found himself in a bit of a turmoil after Sri Lanka complained against his action in recently-concluded Test series. Former Australia captain Tim Paine jumped into the chatter around the subject, suggesting Kuhnemann’s action isn’t too dissimilar to India’s pace icon Jasprit Bumrah. Paine didn’t welcome an accusation, as big as ‘throwing’ being made against the young Australian spinner. “I think there’s a bit of flexion, not dissimilar to a Jasprit Bumrah,” Paine said.

The former Australia captain even said that the ‘throwing’ accusation is extremely serious as the player, in a way, is being accused of ‘cheating’.

“I think he’d be flat as a tack I’d imagine. In cricket, being accused of throwing is not a great mark to have against your name. You’re being accused in a way, of cheating.”

“I imagine in such a public forum, that would be very hard for him to deal with that. He’s probably walked off that day on top of the world, and by the time he’s back in the hotel room he’s at absolute rock bottom because he’s fighting, if you like, to save his career.”

Paine even said that Kuhnemann was put into the line of fire as he was an ‘easy target’ for the officials.

“I just don’t get it,” he added. “Go back through the history of cricket and we’ve had guys who have played hundreds of Test matches combined who have (much worse actions) than Matthew Kuhnemann. I feel like it’s a bit of a token ‘We’ll look like we’re policing this, even though we have never before,’ and Kuhnemann has been the unlucky one.”

Kuhnemann was reported for a suspect bowling action during the second match of their ICC World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka in Galle. To determine the legality of his bowling action, he will undergo an independent assessment at an ICC-accredited testing facility.

Former Australia cricketer Steve O’Keefe urged Cricket Australia to adopt a more proactive approach in the future, as the left-arm spinner is unable to participate in international cricket until the assessment is concluded.

Kuhnemann, however, is free to play domestic cricket for Tasmania before the test is completed.

With IANS Inputs

Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Hardik Pandya will miss his side’s opening match of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, which will be against fellow five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Chepauk on March 23. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday announced the schedule of IPL 2025. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the opening match at Eden Gardens on March 23, a Saturday. 

While last season’s runner’s up SunRisers Hyderabad will host Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the first match on Sunday, MI will be on the road in the second match of the day at Chennai.

However, five-time champions MI will be without their captain Hardik. For the unversed, Hardik was suspended for one match after MI’s last group stage match of IPL 2024 against Lucknow Super Giants. He was also fined Rs 30 lakh for maintaining a slow over rate.

“Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians captain, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during their IPL 2024 match against Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on May 17,” an official IPL statement had said.

“As it was his team’s third offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offences, Pandya was fined Rs 30 lakh and banned from playing the team’s next match,” it added.

After serving the ban against CSK, Hardik will be back for the franchise’s second match against Gujarat Titans on March 29.

In Hardik’s absence, the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah are all in contention to lead MI against CSK.

Rohit was sacked as skipper by Mumbai, replacing him with Hardik ahead of IPL 2024. Hardik was booed by MI fans, both at Wankhede and away from home during matches.

The two were reported to have rift, and this did affect the team dynamics as MI finished bottom of the pile. 

However, that issue is in past and the two will be united as ever in MI’s bid for a sixth IPL title this year.

MI full squad: 

Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Trent Boult, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Karn Sharma Ryan Rickelton, Deepak Chahar, Allah Ghazanfar, Will Jacks, Ashwani Kumar, Mitchell Santner, Reece Topley, Krishnan Shrijith, Raj Angad Bawa, Satyanarayana Raju, Bevon Jacobs, Arjun Tendulkar, Lizaad Williams, Vignesh Puthur.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 marks the ninth edition of the tournament, having first been held in 1998 as the ‘ICC KnockOut Trophy’. Over the years, the tournament has been won by seven nations, ensuring countless incredible moments on the field. With the Champions Trophy set to return in Pakistan and the UAE, we take a look back at five of the most iconic moments from past editions of the tournament, according to the official website of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Virender Sehwag wins it with the ball

Star batter Virender Sehwag turned the game with his off-spin as India qualified for the final of the 2002 edition with an exciting triumph over South Africa in Colombo.

Sehwag had already contributed a splendid half-century as India posted a competitive total of 261/9 at R Premadasa Stadium, but the Proteas appeared in control during the run chase as they took the score to 200 with seven wickets still in hand and nine overs still remaining.

Enter Sehwag, who took the key wickets of Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis and Lance Klusener to seal an enthralling victory for India and book their place in the final against Sri Lanka.

West Indies’ heroic victory

Things looked bleak for the West Indies when key batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul was dismissed and the Caribbean side still required 81 runs for victory with just two wickets in hand against England in the 2004 title decider at The Oval in London, but an incredible ninth-wicket partnership between Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw paved the way for a remarkable run chase.

Browne and Bradshaw put on an unbeaten 71 as the West Indies successfully chased down England’s decent total of 217 with seven deliveries remaining as the Caribbean side claimed their inaugural title.

England stun South Africa at home

England had a day out in this high-scoring encounter at Centurion in 2009 as they booked their place in the knockout stages with an eye-catching triumph over the host nation South Africa.

Owais Shah was the hero with the bat as he smashed six sixes in an innings of 98, while pace duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad picked up three wickets apiece in reply as the Proteas fell agonisingly short in reply.

Graeme Smith played a lone hand for South Africa with a brilliant 141, but that wasn’t enough as England progressed to the semi-finals with plenty of momentum.

Lasith Malinga stars in low-scoring thriller 

Low-scoring contests can often lead to climatic finishes and that was certainly the case in Cardiff in 2013 as New Zealand pulled off a remarkable one-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka.

Not many would have expected Sri Lanka’s low total of 138 to be competitive, but pacer Lasith Malinga had other ideas as he ripped through the Black Caps’ middle-order to reduce New Zealand to 122/8 in reply.

It was left to Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan to guide the Kiwis over the line, but not before Sri Lanka had threatened to produce a massive upset.

It was a memorable day at The Oval in London as Pakistan clinched their first Champions Trophy title with an emphatic victory over arch-rival India.

Fakhar Zaman leads Pakistan to victory over India

Opener Fakhar Zaman set the ball rolling with a superb century as Pakistan put 338/4 on the board and an inspired bowling performance from Mohammad Amir ensured that score was more than enough.

Fakhar was initially dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah, but a no-ball by India’s pace spearhead came back to haunt him as Fakhar took full advantage of his lifeline.

Amir tore through the heart of India’s top-order by dismissing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in quick succession and India could never recover as they were bundled out for just 158 in reply.

While Team India appear to have hit their stride at the right time just ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 – having battered England 3-0 at home in an ODI series – they will still face the problem of having to replace Jasprit Bumrah during the main tournament. Bumrah, unquestionably India’s pace spearhead, has not been able to recover from a back issue in time for the tournament. Former England coach David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd stated that left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, set to replace Bumrah in India’s playing XI, will have to significantly adjust from T20I cricket to ODI cricket.

“It’s a great opportunity for someone to come in, someone who wouldn’t make the team. But you can’t get away from the fact that he (Bumrah) is the best bowler in the world, and if he isn’t playing for you, you’ve got a problem” said Lloyd, speaking on TalkSport Cricket.

Arshdeep Singh is India’s highest-ever T20I wicket-taker, but has only played nine ODIs till date. Lloyd mentioned that shifting from T20Is to ODIs would be a big change.

“Massive difference – four overs to 10. If you’re the opposition, test him out; really get into him,” Lloyd said.

“‘This is not T20 mate, this is not a little party, you’ve got to come back and come back again’, that will be something he won’t be used to,” Lloyd said.

Arshdeep is one of three pacers selected by Team India for the Champions Trophy 2025, alongside the experienced Mohammed Shami and the recently-debuted Harshit Rana. India went with as many as five spinners in their squad, keeping in mind the conditions in Dubai and the short duration of the tournament.

Arshdeep has fared fairly well in his nine ODIs so far for India, having picked up 14 wickets at an average of 23.

However, Arshdeep played just a solitary game in the three-match ODI series against England, with Shami playing two and Rana playing all three.

The absence of Bumrah – who was named the ICC Cricketer of the Year for 2024 – will surely be felt by India. The 31-year-old has won the ‘Player of the Tournament’ at the T20 World Cup 2024 and the ‘Player of the Series’ at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and appeared in the best form of his career heading into the Champions Trophy.

India are likely to go with two frontline seamers in their playing XI at the Champions Trophy, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya being the third seam option.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia has backed the Indian team to be a strong contender to lift the ICC Champions Trophy despite the absence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Saikia credited the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for picking the best combination for the eight-team marquee competition. Young pacer Harshit Rana has been named Bumrah’s replacement in the squad while senior speedster Mohammad Shami will lead the pace attack along with Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya.

“We have picked the best team for the Champions Trophy. And I believe we will win the trophy. India have such a big bench strength, and I don’t think it (Jasprit Bumrah’s absence) will have any major issue with the team combination,” Saikia told IANS on Friday.

Talking about the form of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the BCCI secretary expressed confidence in the duo’s ability to shine in the tournament. India captain Rohit slammed a century in the second ODI against England while Kohli ended his dry run with a half-century in the final ODI as the host whitewashed the series 3-0. Earlier, Suryakumar-led India sealed the five-match T20I series 4-1.

“Everything is very positive in the team (Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in form); see the England series; the results are in front of you. The conditions will be more or less the same in Dubai, like the Indian conditions. India came out in such a good manner (against England) with a series whitewash in ODIs and a 4-1 win in T20Is. The morale and spirit of the team is at the highest level,” Saikia added.

India will start their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20, before taking on arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2.

India’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Non Travelling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube. The three players will travel to Dubai as and when required.