<p>India is one of the best teams in the World, cricket has undoubtedly been adopted as India?s own game from being the gentleman?s game. Team India often referred to as the Men in Blue, has been ranked no.1 by the ICC across several formats, especially excelling in white-ball cricket with the Champions Trophy in sight. <br><br>India despite being ranked the no.1 team over a long period has not been able to win the Cricket World Cup in 2023, as India lost the game to Australia which ended their undefeated streak in the World Cup. However, recently they were crowned the World Champions in the shortest format of the game and were high on confidence. <br><br>India also changed their hands in coaching as team India head coach Rahul Dravid left his position and went to Gautam Gambhir who is much anticipated to change the course of Indian cricket, as he will prepare the Indian side for the Champions Trophy which is to be held after a major 6-year gap. <br><br>India has recently played Sri Lanka in the island nation and is in very poor form as they have lost their game against Sri Lanka, despite low scores. Before this India have managed to win 10 ODI series against the neighboring nation. India after this will play only against England under home conditions in the longer format of white-ball cricket, as a part of India?s preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy. </p>



<div class="wp-block-rank-math-toc-block" id="rank-math-toc"><nav><ul><li class=""><a href="#3-reasons-why-india-can-be-the-favourites-in-the-champions-trophy">3 Reasons Why India Can Be the Favourites in the Champions Trophy</a><ul><li class=""><a href="#inform-rohit-sharma-is-a-major-concern-for-all-opposition-of-the-indian-team">Inform Rohit Sharma is a major concern for all opposition of the Indian team</a></li><li class=""><a href="#india-is-en-route-to-make-one-of-the-most-decorated-bowling-decks">India is en route to make one of the most decorated Bowling decks</a></li><li class=""><a href="#the-presence-of-a-world-class-bench-and-the-tactical-prowess-of-gautam-gambhir-will-be-a-cherry-on-the-top">The presence of a World Class bench and the tactical prowess of Gautam Gambhir will be a cherry on the top</a></li></ul></li></ul></nav></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="3-reasons-why-india-can-be-the-favourites-in-the-champions-trophy">3 Reasons Why India Can Be the Favourites in the Champions Trophy </h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="inform-rohit-sharma-is-a-major-concern-for-all-opposition-of-the-indian-team">Inform Rohit Sharma is a major concern for all opposition of the Indian team</h3>



<p>Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has been in blistering form since CWC 2023. Sharma recently led India to the T20 World Cup triumph, where he was the pick of the batter for his side with the most runs scored. <br><br>Sharma seems to be peaking at the end days of his career, aged 37, he is in the finest of touches, as he has scored abundant runs in both the T20I as well as the longest format of the game. In the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Rohit has been India?s only standout performer scoring 130+ runs in both games with a strike rate of 130+ as well, with 2 half-centuries in the series already. </p>



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<p><br>He will look to continue this form into the Champions Trophy and play a similar role just like he did in the powerplay overs in the last World Cup. He will be in his aggressive self and looking to score quick runs early on in the powerplay to give the team the most handy start. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="india-is-en-route-to-make-one-of-the-most-decorated-bowling-decks">India is en route to make one of the most decorated Bowling decks</h3>



<p>India already has proved that a promising bowling lineup can often cause a very vital change to your campaign. Firstly in the previous World Cup, Mohammad Shami and veteran Jasprit Bumrah spearheaded India?s pace attack and the duo demolished several batting lineups. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/08/Indias-Star-duo-might-be-recalled-1024x538.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-145309"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">India's Star duo might be recalled for the Champions Trophy (Image: Scroll.in)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>However, Mohammad Shami was ruled out of the following T20I World Cup, due to injury. Bumrah alongside Arshdeep Singh led India to yet another wonderful campaign in the United States, which was highly dependent on the bowlers due to the bowling-friendly tracks of the States. <br><br>Mohammad Shami who has now been often seen in the nets at the National Cricket Academy is probably recovering from an injury, and hence the Bumrah-Shami pair might once again be seen in the Champions Trophy. Shami is also among the few senior players who was part of MS Dhoni-led India?s Champions Trophy winning squad in 2013. <br><br>Alongside the two legends of Indian cricket, they will also have the likes of Mohammad Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and spinners Kuldeep Yadav and probably a bunch of all-rounders as well. Hardik Pandya is India?s only pace-bowling all-rounder, while Axar, Jadeja and Washington Sundar can be under Gambhir?s trial for the CT. <br><br>With so diverse a bowling deck with such pure quality, India will probably be one of the finest teams with the best bowling deck on team sheets and if everyone among them performs they will be an unstoppable force to resist.  </p>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="the-presence-of-a-world-class-bench-and-the-tactical-prowess-of-gautam-gambhir-will-be-a-cherry-on-the-top">The presence of a World Class bench and the tactical prowess of Gautam Gambhir will be a cherry on the top</h3>



<p>India have the best possible bunch of players who adorn their bench. Gambhir might include the likes of fine players like, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Washington Sundar, Shreyas Iyer and Indian T20I skipper <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/suryakumar-yadav-446507">Suryakumar Yadav</a> for the reserved benched players in the Champions Trophy. </p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/08/Gambhir.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-145310"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gautam Gambhir and his tactical brilliance will come in handy for India (Image: NDTV Sports)</figcaption></figure>
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<p><br>Now always having a great team on paper doesn?t help but if one also has one of the modern crickets' best thinkers who can influence the brilliance of the players with his tactical greatness then a good bench can always come in handy. Gambhir has already proved his excellence especially in the shortest format of the game, not only at the franchise level with the KKR but also with India in the T20I series, where India was seen producing wonders with unconventional methods. <br><br>Though recently criticised, he will need some time to set himself up with the team in the longer format as well, however, Gambhir is expected to excel again and lead India to a successful campaign in the Champions Trophy.<br></p>

3 Reasons India will be claimed as Favourites in the Champions Trophy 2025 Despite recent losses in bilateral

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<p>India will not have many games recently, especially until the Bangladesh team travels to India for the home series. Though with the current political unrest in Bangladesh, this series remains doubtful, yet India is gearing up for a home season, which will mostly include the games in the longest format of the game as a part of their WTC cycle. <br> <br>India in their recent loss have likely missed on several areas, but one of the major areas of concern has also been Siraj?s inability to produce wickets and hence the selectors as well as India?s new head coach in search of new players from the upcoming domestic seasons, which will be either the Ranji or Duleep Trophy which will be played later this year. <br> <br>One of India?s finest players, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Shami">Mohammad Shami</a>, the right-arm pacer, India?s current most experienced pacer, is likely recovering from his injury at the National Cricket Academy. It was an ankle injury that ruled India?s ace bowler from participation in any international or domestic games since the end of the Cricket World Cup in November 2023. <br> <br>Initially, Shami?s ankle injury was considered minor, though he was advised to get himself ready for surgery after he saw repeated swelling in the region when he was stationed at the NCA, as a result of which he was withdrawn from India?s tour of South Africa. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/08/Shami-for-India-in-CWC-2023-In-his-first-5-fer-of-the-tournament.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-145430" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Shami India's CWC star - With his first ever 5-fer (Image: NDTV Sports)</figcaption></figure>
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<p><br>Following his surgery, Mohammad Shami not only missed games for his national side but also missed an entire season for the Gujarat Titans, as a result of which he was also not seen for India in their T20 World Cup triumph. Shami in the last Cricket World Cup played 7 games for India and was not a part of the team initially, though was included when Pandya was ruled out due to injury. He went on to pick 24 wickets at an alarming rate of 12.20, averaging almost 10.70.</p>



<p><strong>ALSO READ: </strong><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-eng-with-indias-only-probable-chance-to-secure-an-odi-xi-remaining-in-the-series-against-england-changes-that-india-must-bring-to-their-team-before-the-champions-trophy/">IND vs ENG: With India?s only probable chance to secure an ODI XI remaining in the series against England, changes that India must bring to their team before the Champions Trophy</a><br> <br>India will play their next series against Bangladesh in a two-match home test series in September, and hence it is likely for Shami to make a comeback by then. Before the Sri Lanka series, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajit_Agarkar">Ajit Agarkar</a> had accepted that Shami was recovering from injuries and he had started to bowl in the nets. The chief selector also made a bold claim, as he said Shami, Siraj, and Bumrah have been around for some time and are hence the obvious picks. <br> <br>Shami is currently in his final stages of rehab, though nothing has been confirmed by the BCCI or even the NCA members. If he recovers, Shami has shown interest in first starring for his state team of Bengal before making a return to the national side. </p>



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/08/Shami-looking-forward-to-a-return-to-Bengal-team-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-145431" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Shami eyeing a Bengal team return (Image: Times Now)</figcaption></figure>
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<p><br>Even if Shami misses the Bangladesh or New Zealand home series, he would still have plenty of time left to make a probable comeback as the Australian tour, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, is scheduled later in November, after the Kiwi home series ends on November 5th. Only after the Aussie series can he be back for the Indian side in the England tour, playing across multiple formats, as India eye to prepare him for both the Champions Trophy and the WTC final later in June the coming year in 2025.</p>



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India hopes for Mohammad Shami?s probable return. Good for the Men in Blue, with the Champions Trophy and WTC final coming up the following year

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Lucknow Super Giants edged past Mumbai Indians by 12 runs in a thrilling IPL 2025 clash at Ekana. Hardik's fifer and valiant effort went in vain as LSG held nerves.

(5 April) IPL POINTS TABLE Updated After LSG vs MI! Latest IPL 2025 Points Table

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(04 April) ICC T20I Player Rankings (Rank 1 to 10)

(04 April) ICC T20I Player Rankings (Rank 1 to 10): Hardik Pandya, Travis Head, and Jacob Duffy Top the Charts | Latest ICC Men’s T20I Rankings

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India National Cricket Team batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has been in the news for the last few days.

Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Ajinkya Rahane ! Young batter kicks Mumbai captain's kit bag in anger

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LSG vs MI Dream 11 Prediction: The Mumbai Indians (MI) take on Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 16 of IPL 2025 at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium on April 4. MI, fresh off a strong win over KKR, will look to continue their momentum, while LSG seeks redemption after a heavy loss to Punjab Kings. LSG has dominated past clashes, winning five of six meetings.  

The Ekana pitch typically favors teams batting first, with an average score of 160-165. Key players include MI's in-form Suryakumar Yadav and debutant pacer Ashwani Kumar, while LSG relies on Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram. Dream11 picks suggest Pooran, Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Ryan Rickelton as top captaincy choices. A thrilling contest awaits as MI's bowling attack faces LSG's struggling but dangerous batting lineup.

LSG vs MI Dream 11 Prediction: Best Dream 11 teams, Player choices, Captain picks and more

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KKR dominated SRH at Eden Gardens, sealing an 80-run victory. Late fireworks with the bat and a disciplined bowling display propelled KKR back into playoff contention, denting SRH’s Net Run Rate significantly.

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