[PICTURES] ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India announce a 15-member squad

[Hitman]

India Set to Play Champions Trophy on 'Fresh' Dubai Pitches After 'Specific Instructions' During UAE's ILT20: Report

India might not have to deal with slow and deteriorating pitches at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium during their league-stage matches in the Champions Trophy. According to a report from PTI, two fresh pitches have been preserved specifically for India’s games in the marquee tournament, despite the stadium hosting 15 games in the recently-concluded ILT20.

India’s Champions Trophy campaign begins on February 20 against Bangladesh, followed by a highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on February 23, and concluding their group stage against New Zealand on March 2. All three fixtures will take place in Dubai, a venue that has seen heavy cricketing action recently, including the Women’s T20 World Cup, the men’s U-19 Asia Cup, and the ILT20.

During the ILT20, the Dubai stadium hosted 15 matches, including two important knockout games. To ensure quality pitch conditions for the Champions Trophy, two of the stadium’s 10 match strips were deliberately kept unused during the ILT20. A source informed PTI, "There are 10 match strips at the DICS. During the league stage, there was specific instruction that those two won’t be used now and needed to be kept fresh for the Champions Trophy."

The decision to keep the pitches fresh is intended to avoid low and slow conditions caused by overuse, which could have slowed the game. The fresh pitches are expected to provide a fair balance, benefiting both batters and bowlers alike.

Historically, Dubai's pitches have been pacer-friendly, offering fast bowlers movement and bounce. With the use of fresh pitches, however, spinners – especially those with a quicker pace – could emerge as game-changers. The conditions are expected to offer a balanced contest between bat and ball.

India has selected five spinners for the tournament, including Varun Chakaravarthy, who replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal in the 15-member squad. Chakaravarthy made his ODI debut earlier this month during the series against England. The other spinners in the squad are Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-set-to-play-champions-trophy-on-fresh-dubai-pitches-after-specific-instructions-during-uaes-ilt20-report-101739728096094.html

Something for people to cry about if India does well.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Something for people to cry about if India does well.

India is bound to do well, they have a special trick with 5 spinners in the squad

 

[FearlessRoar]

Rishabh Pant was injured by a shot from Hardik Pandya

As per reports:

Rishabh Pant is doing perfectly fine. The wicketkeeper-batsman took a knock to his left knee during India's practice session yesterday. While he batted at the nets, he experienced some discomfort last night. However, there are no concerns now. India will have a training session later this evening.

 

[Devadwal]

Something for people to cry about if India does well.

What to cry about it . ICC events are play on Fresh pitch.

 

[Hitman]

What to cry about it . ICC events are play on Fresh pitch.

Some people need a reason or two. The same reason why that article was posted.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Rohit Sharma addresses the press conference ahead of India's first match against Bangladesh at the 2025 Champions Trophy:

"We have two spinners and three all-rounders. I am not looking at them as five spinners. Jadeja, Axar, Washington give us a lot of depth with the bat."