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SPORTS JANUARY 10, 2025 | The Indian Eye 40

LOOKING FORWARD 2025

All eyes on Men in Blue as Champions

Trophy returns after seven years

Lahore is set to host the final on March 9 unless India qualifies, in which case the final will

be played in Dubai. Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days

OUR BUREAU
Sydney/Mumbai

he Champion’s Trophy is returning after
more than seven years, and India will see it
Tas an opportunity to add another ICC title
to its title cabinet, especially after the T20 World
Cup success in Barbados. In the last edition, India
made its way to the final but fell short against its
arch-rival Pakistan and succumbed to a 180-run
defeat. This time around, India will look to go all
the way and take centre-stage with the trophy in
India’s grasp.
Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes
India’s white-ball team is “settled” and backed
the Rohit Sharma-led side to lift the upcoming
Champions Trophy. With the tournament just
a month away from commencement, Irfan feels
India has a good chance to bring the title home.
“Team India can because if you look at the white-
ball team, it is pretty much settled. To add to that,
there are a couple of young gun players, that can
be added as well. One of them is Nitish Kumar
Reddy. That will only make the team stronger.
Plenty of options. Bowling will be very crucial.
The hopes are very high,” Irfan said in a video Indian coach Gautam Gambhir will depend on two of India’s star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for success
posted by Star Sports on X.
The eight-team event will comprise 15 match- in the tournament (ANI Photo)
es in the 50-over format and will be held across
Pakistan and Dubai. The previous edition finalists, which is an amazing experience, but to be able to Pakistan along with another neutral venue. Also,
India and Pakistan, are scheduled to face on Feb- distil that down and just have eight teams, whether the hybrid model has been decided for all ICC
ruary 23 in Dubai. it’s eight teams or ten teams, but every team that events in the 2024-27 cycle which will be held in
Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi will serve as you’re playing against is incredibly good and every India or Pakistan.
the three venues in Pakistan, hosting the tourna- team knows going into every game they have to be The 43-year-old said no cricket fan wants to
ment. Each venue will stage three group matches, their very, very best and there’s not, apart from the miss the clash between India and Pakistan as it is
with Lahore hosting the second semi-final. stage in the World Cup when it moves into that, a very big rivalry between the two sides and always
Lahore is set to host the final on March 9 un- for it to start, for a tournament to be able to start something special happens in their game.
less India qualifies, in which case the final will be so cut throat from that very first game, I love it. I Due to strained political relations between the
played in Dubai. Both the semi-finals and the final love the thought of it being a high-end tournament two nations, India has not toured Pakistan since
will have reserve days. where there is something riding on every ball,” the 2008, when they participated in the Asia Cup.
Former Australian cricketer and ICC ambas- former right-hand batter added. The two arch-rivals last played a bilateral series in
sador Shane Watson opined that it is “unfortu- In the end, Watson concluded by saying that 2012-13 in India, comprising white-ball matches.
nate” that the Indian cricket team isn’t travelling as Pakistan is hosting the mega event, it’s a great After that, India and Pakistan have primarily faced
to Pakistan for the much-awaited ICC Champi- chance for the fans there to see the players from each other in ICC tournaments and Asia Cups.
ons Trophy which is scheduled to take place next around the globe live in the stadium from their The much-anticipated contest between
month in February. eyes. arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be played on
“The beauty of the Champions Trophy is, that In December 2024, the first major decision Sunday, February 23. Bangladesh and New Zea-
it’s only eight teams, but it does mean that every under the chairmanship of Jay Shah, the Interna- land are India’s competitors in the group other
game there’s something riding on it. The World tional Cricket Council (ICC) finally put an end to than Pakistan. India will be playing against Bangla-
Cup, it’s a great thing that the smaller countries get the Champions Trophy 2025 hosting rights issue, desh on February 20 and New Zealand on March
an opportunity to be able to play in a World Cup, deciding that the upcoming event will be played in 2, with all their matches likely to be held in Dubai.

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