Can India win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

The much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to kick off on February 19, 2025, after an eight-year hiatus. The prestigious tournament will span a month and will be played across various venues in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. With its return after such a long break, the excitement surrounding the event is palpable, and teams are gearing up for what promises to be an intense competition. Former Indian cricketer and legendary captain, Sourav Ganguly, shared his thoughts ahead of the tournament and expressed confidence in India’s prospects. He believes that India will be a formidable force in the Champions Trophy and is poised to deliver strong performances throughout the competition.

Will India be victorious at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?

Sourav Ganguly particularly emphasized the role of Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma, who, according to the former captain, will be key to India’s success. Ganguly feels that Rohit is in prime form and will be firing on all cylinders during the tournament, leading the team with his vast experience and tactical acumen. With India coming into the tournament with a strong squad and immense expectations, Ganguly’s optimism has further fueled the hopes of fans, who are eagerly anticipating India’s campaign in the highly competitive Champions Trophy.

“I think India are one of the contenders in the Champions Trophy, especially after their performances in the 50-over World Cup and the T20 World Cup. But Test cricket is something they will need to work on, particularly when playing away from home. Rohit, in white-ball cricket, is phenomenal. You will see a different Rohit Sharma once the Champions Trophy starts,” said former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly in a recent interview. 

At the same event, Sourav Ganguly also shared his thoughts on the future of India’s star batter, Virat Kohli, in white-ball cricket. Ganguly admitted to being surprised by how Kohli’s recent tour of Australia unfolded. Despite Kohli’s form being a topic of much discussion, Ganguly remained optimistic about the batter’s ability to bounce back. The former Indian captain expressed confidence that Kohli would return to his prolific run-scoring form during the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.

Ganguly acknowledged Kohli’s immense talent and experience, emphasizing that the batter’s past record in limited-overs cricket speaks for itself. While Kohli’s performances in the past few months have been scrutinized, Ganguly believed that the break and time to regroup could help Kohli find his rhythm. Given Kohli's knack for performing under pressure and his immense mental strength, Ganguly is certain that Kohli will play a pivotal role in India’s campaign in the Champions Trophy. With the tournament just around the corner, fans are hopeful that Kohli will rediscover his best form and contribute significantly to India's success.

India is all set to begin their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a high-stakes match against Bangladesh. The 15-member squad for the prestigious eight-nation tournament was announced on Saturday, marking the start of India’s preparations for the much-anticipated event. India has had a strong track record in the Champions Trophy in recent years, with the past two editions proving to be particularly memorable. 

Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, India lifted the Champions Trophy in 2013, securing a dominant win. The victory remains a highlight in India's limited-overs history, as they defeated England in the final to clinch the title. In the subsequent edition of the tournament, held in 2017, India again made it to the final, but this time they were narrowly beaten by their arch-rivals, Pakistan, who emerged as the surprise champions. Despite the loss, India’s journey to the final showcased their strength and consistency in multi-nation tournaments.

Indian cricket has faced its fair share of challenges in recent months, and as a result, the expectations surrounding the squad selected for the Champions Trophy 2025 are understandably high. The team has been carefully picked, with a strong balance between experienced and emerging players, both in the batting and bowling departments. This blend of talent has made the roster one of the most formidable in recent times. With the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill leading the batting charge, and the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja heading the bowling attack, India has a squad that is brimming with star power. The depth in the lineup has left many optimistic about India's chances in the tournament.

Much like former captain Sourav Ganguly, the cricketing fraternity is largely hopeful that India will rise to the occasion and challenge for the title. Given their past successes in the Champions Trophy and the strength of their current squad, the expectation is that India will go all the way and reclaim the prestigious title, bringing much-needed success and glory to Indian cricket. The pressure is on, but the potential is undeniable.