Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra voiced his apprehension over India’s fixtures in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, citing "horrible feelings" due to the team's past struggles in Dubai.
India's group for the 2025 Champions Trophy has been confirmed, with the Men in Blue placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh.
India will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, before facing Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2, 2025.
In a recent video released on his YouTube channel, Chopra recalled the disappointing 2021 T20 World Cup campaign, where India suffered crushing defeats to both Pakistan and New Zealand in Dubai.
He reflected on the upcoming fixtures, saying, “You get a horrible feeling — Pakistan and New Zealand in our group with the matches in Dubai because the chances of it happening in Dubai are the brightest. It wasn’t good the last time this happened in an ICC tournament. We were heartbroken.”
However, the 47-year-old remains optimistic about India's chances in the upcoming 50-over tournament.
“This is ODI, not T20. If ODI matches are played in the UAE, we will grab them. Rohit (Sharma) and (Virat) Kohli will both be seen playing there. Jasprit Bumrah will be there, and we have understood the ODI template very well. So we should ideally qualify from our group.”
It is pertinent to mention that, according to the tentative schedule, the tournament is set to begin on February 19, 2025, with Pakistan facing New Zealand in the opening match in Karachi.
The highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash is scheduled for February 23, 2025, in Dubai.
The final of the tournament will be played on March 9, 2025, with the venue either being Lahore or a neutral location, depending on India's qualification.
- Aakash Chopra
