Sourav Ganguly backs this team to win Champions Trophy 2025
Ganguly also discussed the future of Virat Kohli in white-ball cricket
Former captain Sourav Ganguly named India as one of the top contenders to win the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will take place in Pakistan and the UAE next month.
In a recent interview, Ganguly expressed his belief that the Indian team, bolstered by their strong performances in the 50-over World Cup and the T20 World Cup, would be a formidable force in the prestigious tournament.
However, he added that India’s Test cricket performances, particularly away from home, needed further improvement.
“I think India is one of the contenders in the Champions Trophy, especially after their performances in the 50-over World Cup and the T20 World Cup," said Ganguly.
"But Test cricket is something they will need to work on, particularly when playing away from home. Rohit, in white-ball cricket, is phenomenal. You will see a different Rohit Sharma once the Champions Trophy starts,” he added.
In the same interview, the 52-year-old also discussed the future of Virat Kohli in white-ball cricket, expressing surprise at Kohli's recent performance during India's tour of Australia.
Recently, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar labeled Pakistan as the favorites to win the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, citing the significant advantage of playing on home soil.
Speaking during an interview, Gavaskar expressed his belief that the home advantage would prove pivotal for Pakistan.
“The tag of favorites should be given to the home team, Pakistan, as it’s not easy to beat any team in their home conditions,” said Gavaskar.
"India lost in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023, but before that, they put up clinical performances and won ten matches on the trot,” he added.
For the unversed, India on Saturday unveiled its 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, as well as the much-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025.
The eight-team tournament, comprised of 15 matches, will run from February 19 to March 9, across three venues – Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi – in Pakistan and Dubai.
Hosts Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the curtain raiser on February 19 in Karachi, while the blockbuster clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India is scheduled for February 23 in Dubai.
India's squad for Champions Trophy 2025:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja
India's Champions Trophy Schedule:
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