- Team India’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 has been revealed. During this time, former player Sunil Gavaskar made a big prediction. He has made this enemy team the contender for the trophy, not India.
Sunil Gavaskar: The squads of most of the teams for the Champions Trophy 2025 have been revealed. India also announced the 15-member Team India on Saturday. Meanwhile, cricket lovers and former players are showing the names of their favorite teams. At the same time, former legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar was also asked which team was considered the favorite to win the Champions Trophy. The Little Master considered this team the favorite, not India, which could capture the Champions Trophy.
Sunil Gavaskar considered this team as the favorite for Champions Trophy 2025
The Champions Trophy 2025 is going to start from February 19. Team India will play its first match of the tournament against Bangladesh on February 20. Before that, chief selectors Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma announced the Indian team. Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar was doing commentary on Star Sports. During this, when he was asked about his favorite team, he gave his opinion and made a big prediction about his favorite team. Talking about this, he said,
“The home team and the host team Pakistan should be declared as the favourites. Because, it will not be easy for them to defeat any team in their own home. I think Pakistan is the favourite for the Champions Trophy”
Pakistan cricket team is the defending champion
Indian fans may not like Sunil Gavaskar’s statement. But, the Pakistan cricket team cannot be taken lightly. Pakistan is the defending champion team. They won the title in 2017 by defeating India in the final. This is the reason why Sunil Gavaskar is considering the Pakistan team as the favorite for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Virat Kohli was the captain at that time. In such a situation, fans will have high expectations from Rohit Sharma that he should defeat Pakistan and settle his old score for the title.
Team Squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.
As the cricketing world gears up for the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has made a statement that has taken fans by surprise. Speaking in a recent interview, Gavaskar identified a team other than India as the strongest contender for the championship. His prediction has sparked discussions among cricket enthusiasts and analysts alike.
The Prediction
While many expected Gavaskar to back India, considering their consistent performance in recent ICC tournaments, the veteran cricketer turned heads by naming Pakistan as the team to watch out for. According to Gavaskar, the Pakistani side, with their recent form and balance, has the potential to clinch the coveted title.
“Pakistan’s cricket has evolved significantly in the past few years. They have a lethal bowling attack, a solid batting lineup, and, most importantly, the confidence to perform under pressure. If they play to their potential, they are undoubtedly a top contender for the Champions Trophy,” Gavaskar said during the interview.
Why Pakistan?
Gavaskar’s assessment is not baseless. Pakistan’s recent performances in bilateral series and ICC events have showcased their ability to compete with the best. Here are some key factors that might have influenced Gavaskar’s prediction:
- Bowling Attack: Pakistan boasts one of the most formidable bowling units in world cricket. Led by Shaheen Afridi, their pace attack is complemented by young talents like Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf. Additionally, their spinners, including Shadab Khan, provide crucial support in the middle overs.
- Batting Lineup: Babar Azam’s rise to become one of the best batters in the world has been a cornerstone of Pakistan’s success. Alongside him, players like Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, and emerging talents ensure a well-rounded batting order capable of chasing or setting competitive totals.
- Recent Form: Pakistan’s consistency in the past few tournaments, including their strong showing in the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup, underscores their potential to succeed on the big stage.
- Adaptability: The Champions Trophy 2025 will be hosted in Pakistan, giving the home team a significant advantage. Familiarity with the conditions and crowd support could play a pivotal role in their campaign.
India’s Chances
Although Gavaskar’s prediction favored Pakistan, he did not dismiss India’s chances. The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, remains one of the strongest sides in world cricket. With players like Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja, India has the firepower to challenge any opponent.
“India has always been a powerhouse in ICC tournaments. The combination of experience and youth in their squad makes them a formidable side. However, they will need to address certain areas, such as middle-order stability and death bowling, to reclaim the Champions Trophy,” Gavaskar noted.
Other Contenders
Apart from Pakistan and India, other teams like England, Australia, and New Zealand cannot be overlooked. England’s aggressive brand of cricket, Australia’s resilience, and New Zealand’s consistency make them strong competitors.
- England: The reigning ODI World Cup champions have a well-rounded team with explosive batters like Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes, supported by a potent bowling attack.
- Australia: Known for their big-match temperament, Australia’s mix of experienced players and rising stars makes them a threat in any tournament.
- New Zealand: Often labeled as the dark horses, the Kiwis’ ability to punch above their weight makes them dangerous.
Fans React
Gavaskar’s statement has elicited mixed reactions from fans. While some applauded his unbiased analysis, others criticized him for not backing India unequivocally. Social media platforms have been abuzz with debates over his prediction.
One fan tweeted, “Sunil Gavaskar’s honesty is refreshing. It’s rare to see such candid opinions from legends.” Another user wrote, “How can he not support India? With the squad we have, the trophy is ours to lose!”
The Road Ahead
The Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with top teams battling it out for supremacy. India and Pakistan, being traditional rivals, will undoubtedly draw the most attention. Their clashes in ICC events are always highly anticipated, and this tournament will be no different.
For India, the focus will be on building momentum and addressing any weaknesses before the tournament. The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 could serve as a perfect platform for players to fine-tune their skills. Similarly, Pakistan will look to capitalize on its recent successes and leverage the home advantage.
Conclusion
Sunil Gavaskar’s prediction has added an intriguing layer to the build-up for the Champions Trophy 2025. While his endorsement of Pakistan’s chances might surprise some, it underscores the competitive nature of modern cricket. As fans eagerly await the tournament, one thing is certain – the Champions Trophy 2025 will be a cricketing extravaganza to remember.
Whether Gavaskar’s prediction comes true or India asserts its dominance, only time will tell. Until then, the cricketing world will be watching and waiting with bated breath.
Sunil Gavaskar’s prediction has added intrigue to the build-up for the Champions Trophy 2025. While endorsing Pakistan as a contender for the championship may surprise some, it highlights the competitive nature of modern cricket. As fans eagerly await the tournament, the Champions Trophy 2025 will certainly be a memorable cricketing extravaganza. Only time will reveal whether Gavaskar’s prediction holds true or if Team India asserts its dominance, but until then, the cricketing world will be eagerly watching and waiting.
Sunil Gavaskar’s prediction regarding an enemy country, rather than Team India, being a contender for the championship has created intrigue ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025. This endorsement highlights the competitiveness of modern cricket. The upcoming tournament promises to be a memorable cricketing extravaganza, as fans eagerly await to see if Gavaskar’s prediction will come true or if India will assert its dominance. The cricketing world will be watching and waiting with anticipation.