Former India international Sunil Gavaskar has a surprise pick for the winners of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Gavaskar has picked Pakistan as a team that can win the tournament as they will be playing on home soil.
Pakistan will be the host of the upcoming Champions Trophy which will be held in a hybrid model. The Men in Green will play all their matches inside Pakistan except those involving India.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected India's travel to Pakistan as they did not obtain the required permission from the government. As a result, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided that the tournament will be held in a hybrid model where India's matches will be played in the UAE.
Sunil Gavaskar picks Pakistan to win Champions Trophy 2025
While speaking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar picked the Pakistan team as they will be playing at home. He also recalled India's brilliant performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup where they completely dominated the tournament except for the final match.
“The tag of favorites should be given to the home team Pakistan because it is not easy to beat any team at home. India lost in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup but before that they put in clinical performances and won ten matches over the tournament,” Gavaskar said. To win the next tournament.
India reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup and were favorites to win the title in the summit match. However, the Men in Blue faltered at the wrong time and lost to Australia in a heartbreaking encounter in Ahmedabad.
ICC Champions Trophy Schedule
The Champions Cup 2025 will be held in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi in Pakistan. India will play all its matches in Dubai. If India qualify for the knockout rounds, they will continue to play their matches in Dubai.
The tournament will begin with host team Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. The final will be held in Dubai or Lahore on March 9, depending on India's availability.
Pakistan are the defending champions of the Champions Trophy. The Men in Green defeated India in the final in 2017 in a one-sided encounter played at The Oval in London. Pakistan won the match by a huge margin of 180 runs.
Major injury problem in Pakistan
Meanwhile, Pakistan has a big problem ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. Talented pacer Saim Ayyub suffered a serious injury during Pakistan's Test series against South Africa and was immediately ruled out of the match.
Ayoub was immediately sent to London for further treatment. However, reports claimed that he will not be fit in time to participate in the tournament which will come as a major blow to Pakistan.
The Men in Green will play a tri-series featuring South Africa and New Zealand before the Champions Trophy. Wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan will lead Pakistan in the tri-series and the Champions Trophy as well.
