India vs Pakistan: Key Players, Predictions & Match Insights
Here are the key details of the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between India and Pakistan is set to take place today, February 23, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The match is scheduled to start at 2:30 PM IST (1:00 PM local time), with the toss occurring at 2:00 PM IST.
Match Details:
- Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025
- Time: 2:30 PM IST (1:00 PM local time)
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Broadcast and Live Streaming:
The match will be broadcast live on various sports networks and will also be available for streaming online. Fans can watch the live stream on JioHotstar,Tamasha app.
Team News:
-
India: The Indian team is coming off a strong performance, having secured a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their opening match. Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 101 and Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul were standout performances. Notably, star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the tournament due to a lower back injury and has been replaced by Harshit Rana.
-
Pakistan: Pakistan faced a challenging start, suffering a heavy defeat against New Zealand. The team will be aiming to bounce back in this crucial match. Opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out due to injury and has been replaced by Imam-ul-Haq.
Historical Context:
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most intense in sports, fueled by decades of political tension and passionate fan support. Matches between these two teams often draw massive global viewership, with expectations of around 400 million viewers for today’s encounter.
Key Players to Watch:
- India: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana
- Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Official squads for India VS Pakistan match for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 have been announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Here are the squads for India and Pakistan:
India’s Squad:
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- 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 Chakaravarthy
Notably, star pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the tournament due to a lower back injury and has been replaced by Harshit Rana.
- Mohammad Rizwan (Captain)
- Babar Azam
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Kamran Ghulam
- Saud Shakeel
- Tayyab Tahir
- Faheem Ashraf
- Khushdil Shah
- Salman Ali Agha
- Usman Khan
- Abrar Ahmed
- Haris Rauf
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Naseem Shah
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
Imam-ul-Haq has been named as Fakhar Zaman’s replacement after the latter was ruled out due to injury.
These squads reflect the teams’ strategies and preparations for the highly anticipated tournament.
Match Insights & Predictions
✅ Pitch & Conditions
The pitch could play a decisive role—whether it’s a batting-friendly track or one assisting bowlers will dictate strategies. Dew factor might also come into play in a night match.
✅ Head-to-Head Stats
India has historically dominated Pakistan in ICC tournaments, especially in T20 World Cups and ODI World Cups. However, Pakistan has proven they can turn the tables, as seen in their famous victories in the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
✅ Key Battles to Watch
- Shaheen Afridi vs Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli – Can Shaheen repeat his 2021 magic?
- Jasprit Bumrah vs Babar Azam – A high-stakes battle between two world-class players.
- India’s top order vs Pakistan’s pace attack – A crucial phase that could decide the match’s outcome.
The match is expected to be a nail-biter, with both teams having world-class talent. India’s batting depth gives them a slight edge, but if Pakistan’s bowlers fire early, they can take control. Expect a thrilling contest!