Team India to Depart for Pakistan for Champions Trophy in February 2025.
After lifting the T20 World Cup in June, Team India aims to bring the Champions Trophy back to the country. The tournament, hosted by Pakistan, will see the top eight One Day International teams coming together for the first time in eight years to compete in this challenging event following the 2023 World Cup for Champions Trophy 2025.
Gautam Gambhir’s Determination for Champions Trophy 2025
New coach Gautam Gambhir is particularly determined to win this trophy from Pakistan, provided the Indian government allows Team India to visit the host country. This Champions Trophy might be the last One Day International tournament for both Rohit and Virat.
Comparing Coaches: Rahul Dravid vs. Gautam Gambhir
Of course, there should be no comparison between Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir as coaches. However, Gambhir has inherited a team that played in the 2023 One Day International World Cup final. Maintaining this form until February 2025 is crucial for winning the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and bringing it back to India after 11 years, since their 2013 victory in England.
Government Approval and Political Tensions
The question remains: will the Indian government allow Team India to play in Pakistan for the tournament? Due to statements from Pakistani politicians, both countries have strained relations, and the potential consequences of this could still unfold during the Champions Trophy.
Shahid Afridi’s Appeal for Champions Trophy
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has urged the Indian cricket team to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025. He noted that Indian cricketers have enjoyed Pakistan’s hospitality in the past. “I welcome the Indian team. They should come to India. Whenever I have toured India with the Pakistan team, I have received a lot of respect and love. Likewise, when India came here in 2005, they received a lot of respect and love. They enjoyed their time and hospitality here. I think the relationship between cricketers and the cricket tours should be kept away from politics,” Shahid Afridi told News24 Sports.
He also stated that If Virat Kohli comes to Pakistan, he will forget the love and hospitality of India. He has his own class. There is a lot of craze in Pakistan. People like him a lot in Pakistan. He is my favourite player.
Gambhir’s Coaching Challenges
Under Gautam Gambhir’s coaching, there’s a big challenge ahead. People want to see how he gets the national team ready for the next tournament. After leading KKR to victory in IPL 2024, everyone is curious about his plans for Team India. How he manages the team dynamics and builds relationships with each player will be fascinating to watch. The farewell to Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup win showed the strong bond between him and the team. It’ll be interesting to see how Gautam Gambhir creates a similar atmosphere.
Upcoming ODIs as Preparation
Before the Champions Trophy 2025, India is scheduled to play 6 ODIs: 3 against Sri Lanka and 3 against England. Gautam Gambhir will have time to prepare his ideas and goals for his team. He will strategize accordingly as the team plays these matches in the coming days. This will be an added advantage for him before potentially heading to Pakistan, assuming the Indian government allows Team India to participate.
It will be interesting to see if Team India tours Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. If everything aligns, there could be no stopping India from lifting the Champions Trophy in Pakistan after 11 years. It might even evoke another iconic statement from Ravi Shastri: “India lifts the Champions Trophy after 11 years.“
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