By Aayush Pathak 5 hours ago
Who are the five players to watch out for ICC Champions Trophy 2025? The Champions Trophy is scheduled to start from 19th February. The marquee event is returning after 8 years of hiatus. The 8th edition of the Champions Trophy will be played in Pakistan, which also happen to be the defending champions. However, there’s a catch. Owing to political tensions between the two nations, India’s games will be played in Dubai.
Mohammed Shami has been named in Team India’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The veteran pacer is making a comeback in the Indian jersey after a hiatus of almost 14 months. Shami last played for India during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Even though India missed out on winning the World Cup on their home turf, Shami made his presence felt in each game. He ended the tournament with 23 wickets and was the highest wicket-taker.
Moreover, Shami has had a history of performing at ICC events. In just 18 matches at the ICC Cricket World Cup, Shami has picked up 55 wickets and is India’s highest wicket-taker. His average of 15.81 is the best in World Cup history. Coming back from injury, Shami’s rhythm seems a little offbeat. However, that does not make him any less of a threat during the Champions Trophy 2025.
Rachin Ravindra would be New Zealand’s Trump card for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Ever since his promotion to the top of the order, Rachin has made sure to give the Kiwis quick starts. The southpaw is one of the few players who average 40+ and have a strike rate in excess of 100.
In 2025, Rachin has played just 3 ODI games for New Zealand and has already scored 125 runs at an average of 41.67. What makes Rachin Ravindra a talent to watch out for is the fact that he can be very handy with the ball as well. Rachin does have 18 ODI wickets in his 28 appearances for New Zealand. New Zealand’s new captain, Mitchell Santner, is himself a slow left-arm spinner. Thus, on the turning tracks in Pakistan, Rachin could be the MVP for the Kiwis with the bat as well as the ball.
Maheesh Theekshana has been in decent form lately. The Sri Lankan off-spinner recently took a hat-trick against New Zealand during the Second ODI in Hamilton. Theekshana’s extensive franchise cricket experience in the last couple of years has made him a sought-after commodity.
Though early in 2025, Theekshana has shown huge promise. In just 2 games, the former CSK spinner has managed to pick 7 wickets at an average under 12. He will be on display again when Sri Lanka faces Australia for a home series in February. Theekshana will have an opportunity to step into the legacy created by Muttaiah Muralitharan.
RCB surprised everyone by picking Jacob Bethell at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction for Rs. 2.6 crores. Even though Bethell hasn’t exploded in the international arena yet, he has shown glimpses of the potential he carries.
He’s got the temperament to go big and has been backed by England’s Ashes winning captain Alistair Cook. Bethell is a secret weapon for England as of now. Even though he is yet to be that star England could potentially rely on, Bethell has definitely created a buzz in the cricketing world. He can bat anywhere in the middle order and even pitch in with his handy left-arm spin. England are entering the Champions Trophy 2025 with just Adil Rashid as their main spinner. Thus, Bethell’s, alongwith Liam Livingstone, can give them that edge to play the extra batter.
If there’s any batter who’s scored constant runs in ODIs in the last three years, it’s been Travis Head. The Aussie opener has averaged 63.00, 51.82 and 68.75 in 2024, 2023 and 2022 respectively. Head has been constantly amassing runs for Australia at the top of the order in white-ball cricket.
Head has played 3 games in Pakistan, all three at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. He’s scored 190 runs at a blistering strike rate of 132.87. Australia will play two out of their three group games at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Moreover, one of the two semi-finals and the final will also be played there. Hence, we can expect some fireworks from the Aussie southpaw.
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