ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India Set to Face Bangladesh in Opener

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The Indian cricket team is set to kick off its ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium. This prestigious tournament will run for 19 days, starting with an opener between Pakistan and New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi.

The tournament marks the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, making its return since 2017 when Pakistan clinched their first title. This year, eight of the top teams in one-day internationals (ODI) will compete for the coveted title. The final is scheduled for March 9 at either Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore or Dubai, depending on which teams qualify.

For the first time, live digital streaming of the tournament will be available across 16 feeds in nine languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, and Tamil. Fans in India can catch the matches on Jio Hotstar, which will provide multiple camera perspectives and audio descriptions, alongside traditional broadcasts on Star Sports and Sports18 channels.

The Indian squad, captained by Rohit Sharma, includes star players such as Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Hardik Pandya. India aims to leverage its immense potential in these favorable conditions after finishing as runners-up in the last ODI World Cup. Their lineup is expected to dominate with a spin-heavy attack suited for the UAE’s pitch conditions.

In the tournament’s expanded prize pool, a total of $6.9 million will be up for grabs, with winners set to receive $2.24 million. The teams are divided into two groups, with India’s group featuring Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Australia, Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.

Fans are eagerly anticipating India’s opener against Bangladesh, as both teams prepare to battle on the field. India’s success against Bangladesh has historically favored the Men in Blue, boasting a record of 32 wins out of 41 encounters. However, the Bangladeshi side, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, has shown growth and determination, having reached the semifinals of the 2017 Champions Trophy.

As fans prepare to tune in for this much-anticipated match, the cricketing world waits to see if India can assert its dominance and claim a third Champions Trophy title.