- Champions Trophy 2025: There will be 8 teams in the Champions Trophy 2025, but you will not see some of the teams that have won the T20 and ODI World Cup.
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Teams Didn’t Qualify for ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
Eight teams will be seen playing in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is to be hosted by Pakistan. However, this time many big teams failed to qualify for the tournament. In the list of these teams, there are also teams that have won the T20 and ODI World Cup titles. So let us know which big teams the fans will not be able to see playing in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Fans will miss these big teams
The first name that comes to mind is West Indies. The West Indies team has won the ODI World Cup twice and the T20 World Cup twice. In such a situation, it seems a bit strange that West Indies could not qualify for the tournament.
The second big team in the list i.e. World Cup winning team is Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has also won the ODI and T20 World Cup titles, but could not qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Apart from this, teams like Ireland, Scotland and Zimbabwe have also not been able to qualify for the Champions Trophy.
Why could these teams not qualify for the Champions Trophy?
Let us tell you that a total of 8 teams qualify for the Champions Trophy. The top 8 teams in the points table of the ODI World Cup held before the Champions Trophy play the Champions Trophy, which also includes the host. Excluding the host, the remaining 7 teams have to be in the top-8 in the points table of the World Cup.
In the 2023 ODI World Cup, the Sri Lankan team could not maintain itself in the top-8. The team finished the ODI World Cup at the 9th position. Apart from this, teams like West Indies, Ireland, Scotland and Zimbabwe could not qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup. In this way, all these teams could not qualify for the Champions Trophy.
Team India, which topped the points table of the 2023 ODI World Cup, became the first team to qualify for the Champions Trophy.
Which teams qualified?
Pakistan (host), Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand and South Africa have qualified for the Champions Trophy 2025.
The stage for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is set, but to the surprise of cricket fans worldwide, several major teams, including multiple former World Cup winners, have failed to qualify for this prestigious event. The tournament, often considered one of the toughest in world cricket, will be missing some of the most successful and popular cricketing nations, adding an unexpected twist to the global cricket calendar.
Here’s a look at the big teams that shockingly failed to secure a spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy, despite their illustrious cricketing histories, leaving fans stunned.
1. West Indies: The Two-Time World Champions Miss Out
The West Indies, a team that revolutionized cricket with their dominance in the late 1970s and 1980s, have failed to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy. This exclusion is particularly shocking given the Caribbean side’s rich legacy, which includes two World Cup titles (1975 and 1979) and multiple triumphs in the ICC T20 World Cup.
Despite flashes of brilliance in recent years, the West Indies have struggled to maintain consistency in the ODI format. Their failure to qualify raises serious concerns about the state of cricket in the Caribbean, once known for producing legendary fast bowlers and explosive batsmen. A once-dominant force, the West Indies now find themselves at a crossroads, needing to rebuild and refocus on the fundamentals that once made them a cricketing powerhouse.
2. Sri Lanka: The 1996 World Champions Face Heartbreak
Sri Lanka, the 1996 World Cup champions, are another cricketing giant that has surprisingly missed out on the 2025 Champions Trophy. Known for their thrilling brand of cricket and producing legends like Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka’s absence from the tournament reflects their recent struggles in international cricket.
Despite showing signs of revival in the T20 format, Sri Lanka has struggled to perform consistently in ODIs. This failure to qualify will come as a huge disappointment to their fans, as the team had once established itself as a regular contender in ICC tournaments. The exclusion highlights the need for structural changes within Sri Lankan cricket, as the nation looks to recapture its former glory.
3. South Africa: The Unlucky Chokers Miss Out
South Africa, often referred to as the “chokers” of world cricket, have faced yet another setback by failing to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy. A team loaded with talent, South Africa has historically been one of the strongest sides in world cricket, yet they’ve always fallen short in major tournaments. Their inability to qualify for this edition of the Champions Trophy marks another chapter in their unlucky relationship with ICC events.
Having produced world-class players like AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, and Dale Steyn, the Proteas are experiencing a transitional phase, and their failure to make the cut for the Champions Trophy points to a larger issue with the team’s form and depth. South Africa’s fans will now be hoping for a swift turnaround in their fortunes as they rebuild for future competitions.
4. Pakistan: The 2017 Champions Trophy Winners Left Behind
Perhaps the most shocking omission from the 2025 Champions Trophy is Pakistan, the winners of the 2017 edition of the same tournament. Pakistan’s unpredictable yet thrilling brand of cricket has made them fan favorites across the globe, and their historic triumph in 2017 is still remembered as one of the greatest underdog stories in the competition’s history.
However, inconsistency and off-field issues have plagued Pakistan cricket in recent years. While their T20 form has been strong, their performances in ODI cricket have not been up to the mark. Pakistan’s absence from the 2025 edition is a bitter pill to swallow for their supporters, especially given their proud history of winning ICC tournaments, including the 1992 World Cup and 2009 T20 World Cup.
5. Bangladesh: The Rising Tigers Fall Short
Bangladesh, who have emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the last decade, will also miss out on the 2025 Champions Trophy. Their rise in world cricket, particularly in the ODI format, has seen them take down major teams and reach the knockout stages of ICC tournaments. However, their recent form has been erratic, which cost them a place in this edition of the tournament.
Known for passionate fan support and a talented pool of players, Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament will be seen as a setback for a team that has grown rapidly in recent years. The failure to qualify is likely to spark a deep introspection within Bangladesh cricket, as the team had high expectations of continuing their upward trajectory on the world stage.
What Went Wrong for These Teams?
The inability of these major teams to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy can be attributed to several factors:
- Inconsistency: Many of these teams have struggled to string together consistent performances in the ODI format, leading to fluctuating rankings.
- Transitional Phases: Some of these sides, particularly South Africa and Sri Lanka, are going through significant transitions, with younger, inexperienced players coming in to replace retired legends.
- Internal Issues: Off-field issues such as administrative problems, player-coach disputes, and inadequate support structures have also played a role in these teams’ downfall.
Conclusion: A New Era for Cricket?
The absence of former World Cup champions and traditionally strong teams like West Indies, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka from the 2025 Champions Trophy signals a shifting dynamic in international cricket. While these teams look to rebuild and regain their footing, other rising nations have seized the opportunity to fill the void.
For fans, it’s a bittersweet moment—missing the presence of iconic teams while eagerly awaiting the next generation of cricketing superstars to shine on the grand stage. One thing is certain: the 2025 Champions Trophy will showcase new rivalries, fresh talents, and a glimpse into the future of international cricket.