The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. While India aim to secure a semifinal spot with a second consecutive victory, Pakistan find themselves in a must-win situation after a disappointing start to the tournament.
A High-Stakes Encounter
The rivalry between India and Pakistan has always been a major talking point in cricket, though the contests on the field have often been one-sided. India enter this match on a high after a comfortable six-wicket win over Bangladesh, while Pakistan struggle with form and morale following a crushing 60-run defeat against New Zealand.
Their last Champions Trophy meeting was the 2017 final, where Pakistan stunned India to claim the title. Mohammad Rizwan’s side will hope to draw inspiration from that victory, but they must significantly improve their performance across all departments to repeat history.
India Hold the Advantage
India appear to be the more settled team, both in terms of squad balance and preparation. Having been in Dubai well ahead of the tournament, they have acclimatized better than Pakistan, who arrived just days before their opening match. This difference in preparation could be a crucial factor in determining the outcome of this high-voltage fixture.
Beyond conditions, India also seem to be in a much better mental space. Their win over Bangladesh showcased composure and depth, whereas Pakistan’s loss to New Zealand exposed critical weaknesses, particularly in their bowling and middle-order batting.
Key Players and Form Guide
India
Skipper Rohit Sharma’s form was a concern leading into the tournament, but his fluent 41-run knock against Bangladesh suggested that he is finding his rhythm. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill’s magnificent century under pressure further solidified his reputation as India’s most consistent ODI batter.
However, Virat Kohli’s lack of a big score has raised some concerns. The former captain has been getting starts but has struggled to convert them into match-defining performances. That said, Kohli has a history of delivering in India-Pakistan encounters, making him a player to watch.
On the bowling front, Mohammed Shami’s return to form with a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh is a massive boost for India. With Jasprit Bumrah sidelined due to injury, Shami has stepped up, well supported by young pacer Harshit Rana. The spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel also played a vital role in India’s first victory, and they are expected to be key contributors on the spin-friendly Dubai surface.
Pakistan
Pakistan’s biggest concern is the form and intent of Babar Azam. His 90-ball 64 against New Zealand was widely criticized for being too slow in a steep chase of 320. With mounting pressure, he will need to find a way to score freely while ensuring stability for his team.
Adding to Pakistan’s troubles, opener Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out due to injury and has been replaced by Imam-ul-Haq. The middle order, however, received a boost with Khushdil Shah’s counterattacking 69 in the opening match. Despite his own surprise at making the squad, his knock provided Pakistan a much-needed silver lining.
The bowling attack, led by Shaheen Afridi, struggled against New Zealand, conceding over 300 runs. Pakistan will need a much-improved effort from their bowlers, especially from the pace trio of Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf. Their spinners, Abrar Ahmed and Salman Ali Agha, will also play a crucial role in containing India’s strong batting lineup.
Historical Context and Off-Field Factors
Beyond cricketing abilities, this match also carries significance due to the broader context of India-Pakistan relations. India opted not to travel to Pakistan for the tournament, resulting in all their games being shifted to Dubai. This decision has not gone down well with the Pakistan Cricket Board, and a victory over India would be seen as a statement of defiance.
Likely Team Combinations
India
India are unlikely to make any changes to their winning combination. The in-form batting lineup, bolstered by Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, is expected to remain unchanged. The spin-friendly conditions in Dubai make Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja key components of the bowling attack. The pace department will continue to be led by Mohammed Shami, with Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh providing support.
Pakistan
Pakistan, on the other hand, might consider tweaking their XI. Imam-ul-Haq is set to replace Fakhar Zaman at the top, while Khushdil Shah’s place looks secure after his solid showing. However, the team management could look at their bowling unit, with the possibility of an extra spinner coming in depending on pitch conditions.
Squads
India
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy.
Pakistan
Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Final Thoughts
With the stakes incredibly high, this match promises to be a thrilling encounter. India have the upper hand in terms of form, balance, and confidence, but Pakistan will be eager to bounce back and prove their mettle. As always, an India-Pakistan match is as much a battle of nerves as it is of skill, making this one of the most awaited contests of the tournament.