ICC champions trophy, Group A team guide: favorites India, plus the host of Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh | Cricket news

In front of the ICC Champions Trophy – Live on Sky Sports from February 19 to March 9 – we look at the sides in Group A: India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

INDIA

by David Currie

Best result: Winners (2002, 2013)
Outcome of 2017: racer
The main coach: Gautam Gambhir

Team: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virerat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Kl Rahul, Risk Panta, Hardy Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohamed Shami, Arshdi Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Bowler to see

England can speak with the skills of the late flowering foot roller hang Chakaravarthy after the 33-year-old got a 14 stunning wicking in their last series with five T20 T20 games. That said, he only made his debut ODI earlier this month, also against Jos Buttler’s side.

But, denied the services of the best player in the world now, Jasprit Bumrah – a late retreat due to a damage to the back – India needs marine hashit Rana, Mohamed Shami and Arshdeep Singh to fill the gap.

They have many backgrounds: Sham was leading the winner of the World Cup 5023 50 and Arshdeep the same as India won the 2024 T20 World Cup, while the 19 Harsh victories helped Kolkata Knight Riders for last year’s IPL title. But gives me the variety of left -wing of Artistic to reach the bulk.

Shoot to see

Skipper Rohit Sharma played himself again in a form of a 32nd century ODI in England’s last 3-0 whitening. Virat Kohli, too, looked more like the one with half a closing century, while Shreyas Iyer on average in the 1960s – but there is no look beyond Shubman Gill.

The 25-year-old has long been proven as the other superstar of India’s cricket. His talent of coercion has not been constantly translated into the test arena alone, but he on average over 60 through his first 50 ODIs, with his seventh tone that closed the series against England (after two fifty).

Perspective

The construction of the tournament, being held in Pakistan, has been dominated by the tense political relations between the two nations, which has resulted in the United Arab Emirates to be added as co-paid for India’s Games-to the threat of a possible boycott.

It will be sure to add a little extra spices to the Dubai team meeting on February 23, with the match that is likely to determine the group’s fate. India, with all their strength in depth, certainly start as favorites – and not just for that match, but the tour as a whole.

Equipment (All 9am in the UK and Ireland)
VS Bangladesh (Thursday 20 February)
VS Pakistan (Sunday 23 February)
VS New Zealand (Sunday 2 March)

New Zealand

By David Currie

Best result: Winners (2000)
Outcome of 2017: Collapsed in the group stage
The main coach: Gary Stead

Team: Mitchell Santner (Captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

Bowler to see

It is strange to enter a large ICC tour with a New Zealand squad Sans the deadly Bowling Duet of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, a major post -decade -long attack.

With both retired by international cricket, the stick is surrendering, and with a group of people full of people ready to receive it, including Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke.

The last two were extremely impressed during the England Test Tournament in New Zealand at the end of last year, with henry‘S 15 wickets at 23.26 parts, though the quick player will be disappointed by the absence of Zak Crawley by the ODI of England if both teams meet – he chose the opening six times during the test series while coughing up only 10 total runs to.

Henry is just as capable in the white ball arena, taking 14 wickets in just five ODI already this year.

Shoot to see

I could save myself (and all of you reading) some time here simply choosing the brilliance of Kane Williamson’s collision, his average 14 ODI and 49.54. But that would be very easy.

Instead I am choosing to Rachin ravindra continue to announce himself on the world stage. When he destroyed the rods of England in all parts to open the 2023 World Cup in India with a century of ODI girls, he may not have been in the radar of many, but is certainly not the case two years later.

While Steel Kiwis himself for life beyond Williamson, 34, is the elegant but destructive and rvindra -hand blow, which they will surely build the foundations around. Another strong appearance in the subcontinent will cement further.

Perspective

The clichéd tournament ‘dark horses’ have spread to perennial brides, with endings in the 2015 and 2019 50 World Cups (as well as World Cup 2021 T20), along with 10 other semifinal runs on both tournaments.

A previous ICC ICC title of Black Caps came to the champions trophy in 2000, the same year the women’s team in New Zealand won the 50th World Cup. Ferns White broke their 24-year-old big tournament with a stunning victory in the T20 World Cup in October, now it has finished on the side of Mitchell Santner to provide a pair.

Equipment (All 9am in the UK and Ireland)
VS Pakistan (Wednesday 19 February)
VS Bangladesh (Monday 24 February)
VS India (Sunday 2 March)

Pakistan

By um-e-yaymen daddy

Best result: Winners (2017)
The main coach: Aqib javed

Team: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Hasnan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Bowler to see

Shah Shah Afridi. Left wing speed has grabbed 124 wickets in 60 ODI and is the only seafarers in the first five Bowling ODI rankings. Shaheen can change the tempo of matches by running through the upper and middle orders and even the best opposition and should bloom on the ground of his home in this tournament.

Shoot to see

Former captain Daddy Sites at the top of the ODI filling and averages 55.78 in 50-top format, 19 centuries and 34 fifty out of 122 matches. Babar’s shape has not been stable in all late formats, but being in familiar territory can help it.

Perspective

Pakistan – always unpredictable in ICC tours – start their campaign against New Zealand. However, the biggest test will come when they face India, not only their biggest rivals, but the team to defeat the competition. The hosts have concerns about injuries to star Haris Rauf players, whose death bowling is often essential.

Equipment (All 9am in the UK and Ireland)
VS New Zealand (Wednesday 19 February)
VS India (Sunday 23 February)
VS Bangladesh (Thursday 27 February)

Banglade

By um-e-yaymen daddy

Best result: Semifinals (2017)
The main coach: Phil Simmons

Team: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Souma Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Risad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed ,, Paravez Hossai Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim.

Bowler to see

Nahid Rana. The swift right arm, 22, has made an impression since last year’s debut. His raw rhythm and talent helped Bangladesh provide a 2-0 whitening over Pakistan in a test series where he on average 90mph. Playing in a big scene can bring nerves, but when in the area, Rana can be brilliant.

Shoot to see

Najmul Hossain Shanto. An elegant left which on average 34.60 in ODI format, with a better result of 122 not outside. However, Shanto has not been in shape lately and will have to go to the challenge.

Perspective

Bangladesh has their most difficult challenge first when they face India. If they are able to produce a show they are proud of, regardless of the outcome, it will facilitate them in the following matches against New Zealand and Pakistan. They managed to do it in the semifinals in 2017 which will give them hope.

Equipment (All 9am in the UK and Ireland)
VS India (Thursday 20 February)
VS New Zealand (Monday 24 February)
VS Pakistan (Thursday 27 February)

Look at every match from the ICC champions trophy in 2025 live at Sky Sports between February 19 and March 9 or now.