Picture Credit: X
The much-awaited ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 is just round the corner and the Rohit Sharma-led Team India have already begun their preparations for the marquee tournament in Dubai. Notably, the Men in Blue will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, before taking on arch-rivals Pakistan on February 23.
But ahead of the ICC event, it is being reported that the Men in Blue might not play on slow and worn-out pitches as two 22-yard strips have kept relatively fresh for the Champions Trophy 2025. It is to be seen that India will play all their league stage matches in Dubai. They will then play the semi-final and final at the same venue if they advance further into the tournament.
India to play on fresh pitches in CT 2025: Reports
A source close to the development informed PTI that the ground has ten strips and two have been kept unused for the marquee tournament. "There are 10 match strips at the DICS. During the league stage, there was specific instructions that those two won't be used now and needed to be kept fresh for the Champions Trophy," a source in the know of things told PTI, as quoted by India Today.
It is to be noted that there has been fair amount of cricket played at DICS after the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. During the ILT20, the Dubai venue hosted 15 matches, including two knockouts, but it is not known if the pitches were used for the playoffs. The source also added that the fresh pitches will aid batters and bowlers equally. "The idea is to ensure that it doesn't become low and slow after over-use and matches become drag. The fresh pitches will aid the batters and bowlers in equal measure,” the source added.
Speaking of the Dubai track, the pitches have witnessed pacers taking majority of the wickets, but even the spinners with quick pace could prove to be crucial. Seeing this, India have named five spinners in their squad with Varun Chakravarthy being the latest addition. Moreover, the experience of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will be vital for the Men in Blue.
India’s squad for ICC Champions Trophy, 2025
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
Non-travelling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube.
