NEW DELHI: As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins in Karachi on Wednesday with the opening clash between Pakistan and New Zealand, all eyes are on India, one of the tournament's most successful teams. Led by Rohit Sharma, Team India enters the competition as a top contender, boasting a well-balanced squad featuring stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Shreyas Iyer, along with a formidable all-round unit.
A key strength of this Indian side is its depth, with Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar providing stability in both batting and bowling. The inclusion of fresh faces like Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy adds variety to the bowling attack. Having finished as runners-up in the 2023 ODI World Cup, India will be eager to clinch their third Champions Trophy title.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
India's Champions Trophy record
Team India has enjoyed a rich history in the Champions Trophy, winning the title twice and reaching four finals in eight editions. The tournament was initially called the ICC KnockOut Trophy before being rebranded as the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002.
1998 (Bangladesh): India, led by Mohammad Azharuddin, reached the semi-finals but lost to West Indies by six wickets. South Africa won the tournament.2000 (Kenya): Sourav Ganguly’s team reached the final but fell short against New Zealand, losing by four wickets. Ganguly’s brilliant 117 went in vain as Chris Cairns' unbeaten 102 guided the Kiwis to victory in a last-over thriller.2002 (Sri Lanka): India, under Sourav Ganguly, won their first Champions Trophy, sharing the title with Sri Lanka after rain washed out the final on both scheduled days.2004 (England): India failed to progress past the group stage after losing to Pakistan.2006 (India): Hosting the tournament, India, under Rahul Dravid, managed only one group-stage win against England, exiting early after defeats to Australia and West Indies.2009 (South Africa): MS Dhoni’s side suffered group-stage exits, making it the third consecutive edition India were knocked out early in the tournament. They lost to Australia and Pakistan in the group stage.2013 (England & Wales): India bounced back in style as Dhoni’s team went unbeaten to lift their second Champions Trophy. They defeated England by five runs in a thrilling final in Birmingham.2017 (England & Wales): India reached the final for the fourth time but suffered a crushing 180-run defeat to Pakistan, with Fakhar Zaman’s century propelling Pakistan to their maiden Champions Trophy title.
India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Squad and Fixtures
Squad:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy.
Fixtures:
February 20 – India vs Bangladesh, DubaiFebruary 23 – India vs Pakistan, DubaiMarch 2 – India vs New Zealand, Dubai
The semi-finals will take place on March 4 (Dubai) and March 5 (Lahore), while the final is scheduled for March 9 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. However, if India qualifies, the final will be shifted to Dubai.
