After an eight-year wait, the ICC Champions Trophy is back, and this time, the action unfolds across Pakistan and Dubai. Kicking off on Wednesday, February 19th, eight of the world’s top cricketing nations will battle it out over the next few weeks in a tournament filled with high stakes, intense rivalries, and world-class cricket. Let’s take a closer look at the squads and how they stack up against each other.
India: The Tournament Favorites?
India enters the Champions Trophy as the top-ranked ODI team and the reigning T20 World Cup champions. However, they’ll be without their star pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, who suffered a back injury during the grueling Border-Gavaskar series in Australia. Despite this setback, India’s squad remains formidable under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. With a strong batting lineup and depth in their bowling attack, India will look to continue their dominance on the global stage.
Australia: A Shaky Contender
Australia, ranked #2 in ODIs, has been struggling with injuries and inconsistency. Key players Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood, Mitchell Starc, and Mitch Marsh are all missing from their squad, significantly weakening their bowling attack. Coming off a disappointing series loss to Sri Lanka, they’ll need a big turnaround to make an impact. Steve Smith leads the charge, with Travis Head expected to play a crucial role in the batting lineup. Can Australia find their rhythm in time?
Pakistan: The Dark Horses
The 2017 Champions Trophy winners are looking dangerous. Fresh off a thrilling chase of 350+ against South Africa, Pakistan’s confidence is sky-high. Ranked #3 in ODIs, they boast a well-rounded squad with a lethal pace attack and strong middle-order batting. Led by Mohammad Rizwan, this team has all the tools to go deep in the tournament. With home advantage and a passionate fanbase behind them, Pakistan could be the team to watch.
New Zealand: The Underrated Threat
New Zealand has flown under the radar since their back-to-back Cricket World Cup final appearances in 2019. Ranked #4 in ODIs, they bring a mix of experience and young talent to the tournament. Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and Kane Williamson lead their batting unit, while Mitchell Santner will captain the squad in his first ICC event as skipper. The Kiwis are known for their consistency—can they shake things up and claim their first Champions Trophy title?
Afghanistan: The Newcomers with Big Aspirations
Making their debut in the Champions Trophy, Afghanistan is bringing the youngest squad of the tournament. But don’t let that fool you—this team is packed with talent. Led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan’s squad features world-class players like Rashid Khan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who will look to make a statement. This could be their breakout moment on the world stage.
England: In Search of Redemption
Since their historic 2019 World Cup win, England’s ODI squad has been on a steady decline, dropping to #7 in the rankings. Inconsistent performances have plagued them, but they’ll be looking to bounce back with a revamped squad. Veterans like Jos Buttler, Joe Root, and Jofra Archer provide stability, while younger players bring fresh energy. England has the talent—can they find the form to make a deep run?
South Africa: The Eternal Contenders
South Africa has been strong for years but has repeatedly fallen short when it matters most. With a well-balanced squad featuring both explosive batting and a dangerous bowling attack, they are once again one of the tournament’s top teams. Temba Bavuma leads a squad that closely resembles last summer’s lineup. The question remains: can they finally overcome their knockout stage struggles and bring home a major trophy?
Bangladesh: The Wild Card
Bangladesh enters the Champions Trophy without one of their biggest stars, Shakib Al Hasan. Currently ranked #9 in ODIs, expectations are low, but they do have a mix of young talent and experienced veterans who could cause an upset or two. They might not be favorites, but in cricket, anything is possible.
Final Thoughts
The stage is set for an exhilarating tournament. Will India maintain their dominance? Can Australia overcome their injuries? Will Pakistan or New Zealand rise to the occasion? And could a dark horse like Afghanistan shake up the competition? The next few weeks will provide answers as these eight teams battle for one of cricket’s most prestigious trophies. Let the games begin!
