DUBAI: India begins its ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign today against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium.
Captain Rohit Sharma said the team aims to take it “one game at a time” to pursue the ICC title.
“Every ICC title is important, and this one is no different. Our goal is to win one game at a time,” Sharma said before the Bangladesh clash at a pre-match press conference.
The 2025 Champions Trophy is being played in a hybrid format. All of India’s matches will take place in Dubai. The remaining fixtures, including the final (unless India qualifies), will be in Pakistan. If India reaches the final, it will also be held in the UAE.
India, runners-up in the last edition in 2017, will play Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2.
Regarding squad selection, Sharma defended the choice to include five spinners. “We have two spinners and three all-rounders who can bat and bowl,” he explained. He also compared the decision to teams that field six pacers without question.
India’s squad includes spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja, while the pace attack is led by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Arshdeep Singh.
Sharma addressed concerns over Dubai’s pitch conditions. “We are confident in our squad’s quality and experience,” he said, pointing to India’s 3-0 ODI series win over England as solid preparation. Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, and Sharma all contributed with the bat, while Ravindra Jadeja impressed with the ball.
Sharma emphasized adaptability, stating, “Every series and venue presents new challenges. Dubai will be a fresh test, and we need to assess it quickly.”
