Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar has a surprise pick for the winners of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Gavaskar has picked Pakistan as the team that can win the tournament as they will be playing at their home ground.
Pakistan will be the hosts of the upcoming Champions Trophy, which will be played in a hybrid format. The Men in Green will play all their games in Pakistan except those involving India.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) denied India's tour to Pakistan as they did not get the necessary permission from the government. As a result, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided that the tournament would be played in a hybrid model with India's matches to be played in the UAE.
Sunil Gavaskar picks Pakistan to win Champions Trophy 2025
While talking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar chose Pakistan as he will play in their home conditions. He also recalled India's magnificent performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup where they completely dominated the entire tournament except the final.
“The favorites tag should be given to the home team Pakistan as it is not easy to beat any team in their home conditions. India lost in the final of ODI World Cup 2023 but before that they put in clinical performances and won ten matches. trot, that's why I feel Pakistan are favorites for the upcoming tournament,” reckoned Gavaskar.
India reached the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 and were favorites to win the title in the summit clash. 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 Trophy 2025 will be played in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi in Pakistan. India will play all their matches in Dubai. If India qualify for the qualifiers, they will continue to play the matches in Dubai.
The tournament will begin with the host team, Pakistan, playing New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. The final will be played 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 2017 final in a one-sided encounter played at The Oval, London. Pakistan won the match by a huge margin of 180 runs.
Pakistan's major injury problem
Meanwhile, Pakistan has a big problem ahead of Champions Trophy 2025. Talented opener Saim Ayub suffered a major injury during Pakistan's Test series against South Africa and was ruled out of the match immediately.
Ayub was immediately sent to London for further treatment. However, reports claim that he will not be fit in time for the tournament, which will be a big blow for Pakistan.
The Men in Green will play a tri-series involving South Africa and New Zealand before the Champions Trophy. Mohammad Rizwan will lead Pakistan in the tri-series and the Champions Trophy.