Sunil Gavaskar named India’s rivals as ‘favourites’ to win the tournament.

Former India opener Sunil Gavakar has made a surprise pick for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy winners.

Pakistan will host the upcoming Champions Trophy which will be played in mixed format. The men in green will play all their matches in Pakistan except India.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has banned India from traveling to Pakistan as they did not get the necessary permission from the government. As a result, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided that the tournament will be held in a mixed format, with India’s matches to be played in the United Arab Emirates.

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Sunil Gavaskar picks Pakistan to win Champions Trophy 2025

Sunil Gavaskar told Star Sports that he chose Pakistan because they play in their home conditions. He also recalled India’s brilliant performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they completely dominated the tournament except for the final.

“The tag of favorites should be given to home team Pakistan because 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 gave clinical performances and won ten matches. So, I feel Pakistan are favorites in the upcoming tournament,” Gavaskar explained.

India reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup and were favorites to win the summit clash. However, the men in blue lost at the wrong time Australia Heartbreaking experience in Ahmedabad.

ICC Champions Trophy schedule

The 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi in Pakistan. India will play all the matches in Dubai. If India qualify for the playoffs, they will continue their match in Dubai.

Pakistan will play New Zealand at Karachi on February 19. The final will be played in Dubai or Lahore on March 9 depending on India’s readiness.

Pakistan is the winner of the Champions Trophy. In 2017, the Men in Green beat India in the final in a one-sided encounter at The Oval in London. Pakistan won by 180 runs.

Pakistan’s main injury problem

Meanwhile, Pakistan has a big problem with Champions Trophy 2025. Talented opening Saim Ayub He suffered major injuries during the Pakistan Test. Series They were immediately eliminated from the match against South Africa.

Ayub was immediately sent to London for further treatment. However, the reports suggest that he will not be eligible for the tournament in time, which is a big blow for Pakistan.

The men in green will play a tri-series involving South Africa and New Zealand before the Champions Trophy. Wicket keeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan He also leads Pakistan in three series and the Champions Trophy.