Kevin Pietersen, Suresh Raina Name India, Pakistan As Overwhelming Top Four Favourites In 2025 Champions Trophy
Various former cricketers felt the same, with the likes of Pietersen, Raina, Murail Vijay, and many more naming them as two of the absolute favorites to make it to the top four of the upcoming tournament.
There is no denying the reigning champions and hosts Pakistan, and their eternal rivals India, as the two teams have been touted as the overwhelming favorites by the likes of former cricketers such as Kevin Pietersen and Suresh Raina.
Eight teams will vie for a trophy, often talked up as tougher to win than the World Cup, and also to script a new chapter in their own cricketing story. While India will fight it out in Dubai, others will be primarily based in Pakistan, which would get to host its first ICC event since the 1996 World Cup.
related stories
India are one of the favourites for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With all their matches in Dubai, India will be keen to continue the good momentum they have coming into the tournament and hope to go all the way to winning the Champions Trophy
If anyone needed a reminder, Pakistan had won the last edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017. And as the hosts, the home-ground advantage definitely will provide an added edge to a seemingly lost and hampered Pakistan side to recoup and reinvent themselves.
Various former cricketers felt the same, with the likes of Pietersen, Raina, Murail Vijay, and many more naming them as two of the absolute favorites to make it to the top four of the upcoming tournament.
“Pakistan who are hosting the tournament, India, England and I want to go Australia," former England skipper Pietersen stated in a video released by Star Sports.
India, Australia, South Africa and Afghanistan," former Indian batter Suresh Raina added in the same video.
Other analysts for the brand also chimed in with predictions of their own.
“My top four prediction for the Champions Trophy this season is going to be India, Pakistan, Australia and South Africa," former Indian batter Murali Vijay chimed in.
“India and New Zealand from our group, South Africa and Afghanistan from the other," Aakash Chopra claimed.
“South Africa, Australia, India and Pakistan are my top four," said former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar.
Deep Dasgupta had an interesting take, stating, “From India’s group, I’d say India and Pakistan. From the other group, I was inclined to go Australia and South Africa. But, off-late, a lot of the SA bowlers have gone missing. So, I’m not too sure about them. Hence, I’m going to say Australia and England."
The marquee match of the tournament will be on February 23, when India takes on Pakistan, ushering in customary waves of nostalgia, emotions, political grandstanding, and social media battles.
The much-awaited showdown will take place in Dubai as India remained steadfast in its refusal to set foot on Pakistani soil owing to security concerns.
(with agency inputs)
- Location :
- First Published: