South Africa are the inaugural champion of the ICC Champions Trophy, as they won the first edition back in 1998. But since then, they have made it to the knockouts of multiple ICC events but couldn't win a title yet. But they will look to end this drought as they enter the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as one of the favorites.
South Africa are placed in Group B, which already has Australia, England, and Afghanistan. This is the toughest group of two, as all four teams can surprise anyone. The Proteas will begin their journey with their first game against Afghanistan on February 21 at National Stadium, Karachi.
South Africa have been very consistent in the ICC events in the last few tournaments across formats. They made it to the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 and were the semifinalists in the ODI World Cup 2023. Recently, they made it to the World Test Championship final. Hence, they will not be the underdog this time around. On Monday, Cricket South Africa announced the 15-member squad for the coming tournament.
<h2>Temba Bavuma to lead South Africa in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025</h2>
South Africa announced a strong 15-member squad that has almost all the bases covered. The batting unit looks strong, and they have some serious fast bowlers in their ranks. Temba Bavuma will lead the squad that has some big match-winners like Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Rassie van der Dussen.
Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj will be two specialist spinners, as the conditions in Pakistan and the UAE are more in favor of the spinners. The Proteas have brought back Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje, who have experience of playing in Pakistan before. Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder are the two specialist pace-bowling all-rounders in the squad.
Anrich Nortje will play his first ODI since September 2023, as he was out of action due to injury. Similarly, Ngidi is also making his comeback after missing out on the last 4-5 months of action due to a groin injury. The Proteas have gone with a similar batch of players that played in the ODI World Cup 2023. Ten players are from the same squad. South Africa will play their group matches on February 21, 25, and March 1, respectively.
South Africa's Squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Temba Bavuma (c), Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/gautam-gambhir-backs-this-youngster-to-be-india-s-next-captain-after-rohit-sharma-leaves-out-bumrah-gill-and-pant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gautam Gambhir backs this youngster to be India's next captain after Rohit Sharma; leaves out Bumrah, Gill and Pant</a>

Temba Bavuma will lead South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

South Africa will play their first match of the ICC Champions Trophy on February 21 against Afghanistan at National Stadium, Karachi.

South Africa announce Pace-heavy 15-member squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025; Temba Bavuma to lead the star-studded team 

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In what will be disappointing news for the Sanju Samson fans, the keeper-batter is unlikely to cut into the Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. As per the reports in PTI, it is learned that the Kerala batter is unlikely to be part of the ODI setup for India. 
There were reports earlier that suggested that Sanju Samson would be the second-choice keeper in the team, with Rishabh Pant being the first-choice keeper. However, that won't be the case, as even after KL Rahul was touted to play as a specialist batter, Samson won't be part of the squad. 
As per the reports, it is learned Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Dhruv Jurel are the three players who are fighting for the place of second keeper for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, it is learned that Jurel is expected to get the preference in the team along with Rishabh Pant. 
<h2>BCCI has decided that they will be backing Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel as two keepers in Test and ODI </h2>
The reports claimed that BCCI has decided that they will be backing Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel as two keepers in Test and ODI setup. While Sanju Samson, who hit three centuries in T20Is in 2024, will be the first-choice keeper in the shortest format of the game. 
Dhruv Jurel hasn't made his debut for India in the ODIs. But has performed exceptionally well in Tests. The keeper-batter has shown great maturity in the longest format of the game, which impressed the selectors as they decided to give a long rope. 
Dhruv Jurel also has been named in the Indian squad for the T20I series against England. With Sanju Samson being the first-choice keeper, it is likely that Jurel will get a chance in the XI for the five-match series. He has played two games in the shortest format of the game. 
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be announcing the Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on 19th January. Rohit Sharma is set to lead the team, and it will be a massive opportunity for the team to make a comeback after having a horrendous outing in Test cricket of late.
Also Read: <a href="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/admin/Gautam%20Gambhir's%20fate%20decided!%20BCCI%20to%20take%20this%20massive%20step%20amid%20head%20coach's%20desire%20to%20" end%20superstar%20culture""="">Gautam Gambhir's fate decided! BCCI to take this massive step amid head coach's desire to "end superstar culture"</a>

Sanju Samson to play the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Dhruv Jurel are the three players who are fighting for the place of second keeper for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Sanju Samson to play the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? HUGE update arrives from the Indian camp

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England's Bilateral tour of India is set to commence with the five-match T20 International series which is slated to start from the 22nd of January onwards. The Three Lions have also unveiled their squad for this upcoming tour of India and now they are preparing to travel to India but before this, one player of England's team is facing certain issues. 
It has been learned that he has not received his Indian visa yet, due to which the picture regarding him travelling with the English team to India is not clear yet. We are talking about Saqib Mahmoud, a fantastic fast bowler of the Three Lions. 
<h2>England have set up their training camp in Abu Dhabi</h2>
Whenever the 2019 World Cup winners travel to India for a bilateral series assignment, they first set up a training camp in Abu Dhabi. This time around too, the situation is the same. A news report of ESPNCricinfo has revealed that Saqib may not be a part of the Abu Dhabi training camp till his visa issues get sorted out. 
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are hopeful that the 27-year-old speedster receives his visa before the commencement of the T20 International series on the 22nd of January.
<h2>Due to his Pakistani origin, the visa approval is getting delayed</h2>
It's believes that the main reason behind the delay in the visa approval of 27-year-old Saqib Mahmood is his Pakistani origin. In the past too, English players who have a Pakistani origin have encountered such issues. Last year, when the Three Lions came to India for the Test-Series, spinner Shoaib Bashir also faced issues related to his Indian visa. 
Due to this, he missed the opening Test-Match in Hyderabad but after sorting out the problems, he played in the remaining matches of the series. 
<h2>The case of Rehan Ahmed &amp; Adil Rashid is clear</h2>
Although the ECB has not commented on this entire matter, the board still hopes that Saqib will land on Indian soil before the start of the first T20I between the Suryakumar Yadav-led team and England. The squad announced by the ECB consists of two more players who have Pakistani origin and they are, Rehan Ahmed &amp; Adil Rashid. 
Adil Rashid has played a lot of matches on Indian soil so his visa was never an issue while Rehan also played the Test-Series in India last year so his case is pretty clear too.
<h2>This is how Saqib's International career has been so far</h2>
27-year-old Saqib Mahmood is not only included in the T20I series team, he has also been given a chance in the ODI team. He will also go to Pakistan and play the Champions Trophy matches for England . If we talk about his career so far, Saqib has played 18 T20 International matches for England and has dismissed 18 batters in this format so far. At the same time, he also has 14 scalps next to his name by featuring in nine One-Day International contests.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/captain-rohit-sharma-likely-to-travel-to-pakistan-due-to-this-reason-everything-we-know-so-far/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Captain Rohit Sharma likely to travel to Pakistan due to this reason! Everything we know so far</a>

Saqib Mahmood of England celebrates picking up a wicket versus West Indies | Image: Getty Images

Saqib Mahmood, England Cricket Team's Pakistani origin star has not received his Indian visa yet which is causing issues for the team ahead of their tour of India

England's star seamer Saqib Mahmood has not received his Indian visa yet

England's Pakistani origin star yet to be granted Indian visa, ECB forced to cancel flight ahead of India tour

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Indian Cricket Team's skipper and T20 World Cup winning captain Rohit Sharma is anticipated to travel to Pakistan in the month of February ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tournament, as per the news reports of Indian Media
If the reports are to be believed, this visit would be historical moment in the world of Cricket, making it one of the rarest occasions where an Indian player has travelled to the country of their arch-rivals for an International Cricket event in recent years. 
The visit to Pakistan is apparently planned for a photo shoot of all-captains with the trophy of the marquee event and ICC organized press conference. During this event, the skippers of all the participating sides will share their views and expectations for the upcoming competition. 
Indian Cricket's governing body, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not given any official confirmation regarding the visit of Rohit. Additionally, the Men in Blue have not announced their squad for the forthcoming Champions Trophy event yet 
Currently, the Rohit Sharma-led team is focused on their white-ball bilateral series assignment versus England, where they will be taking part in five T20 International matches and three One-Day International contests ahead of the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy.
<h2>Group Stages  </h2>
All of the participating nations are divided into 2-groups of 4 teams each:  
- Group A: India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh  
- Group B: England, Afghanistan, South Africa &amp; Australia
Tournament hosts Pakistan will be playing in the opening contest of the Champions Trophy versus the Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand on the 19th of February in the city of Karachi. Team India on the other hand, will kick off their Champions Trophy campaign versus Asian-Rivals Bangladesh on the 20th of February in the city of Dubai. The highly awaited Pakistan vs India clash is scheduled to be played on 23rd of February in Dubai.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/shubman-gill-all-set-to-replace-rohit-sharma-as-odi-capatin-after-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shubman Gill all set to replace Rohit Sharma as ODI capatin after....</a>

Indian Captain Rohit Sharma having a chat with the media | Image: PTI

Team India captain is likely to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 event

Rohit Sharma is likely to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025

Captain Rohit Sharma likely to travel to Pakistan due to this reason! Everything we know so far

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Things are not going right for the Indian team currently. Apart from the poor performances on the field, there have been rumours of a rift between the players, head coach Gautam Gambhir as well and the chairman of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar. 
Of late, there have been reports that claimed that Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar have been involved in various tussles over the selection. The head coach wants to be involved in the selection matters and wants BCCI to allow him players of choice. 
Gautam Gambhir also had a massive say in the team selection for the Australia tour. The head coach played a huge part in the selection of Nitish Kumar Reddy as well as Harshit Rana. He also selected the playing XI without much consultation during the tour, following which he has come under massive scanner. 
The chairman of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, on the other hand, reportedly doesn't want any interference. And this has led to a rift between the two. This surely has reflected on the team's performance which has been underwhelming in Tests and ODIs.
<h2>It’s a completely wrong statement; there is no rift between the chairman of selection (Ajit Agarkar) and the coach - BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla</h2>
Amid all the rumours, BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla rubbishef off all the reports. He said that there is no rift between Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma. As quoted by PTI, he explained: 
“It’s a completely wrong statement; there is no rift between the chairman of selection (Ajit Agarkar) and the coach; there is no rift between captain and coach. This is all rubbish which is being spread in a section of media."
Rajiv Shukla also confirmed that Rohit Sharma will continue as the skipper and all the statements have been going wrong. He said that form is temporary and they are confident that he will be back. 
“This is also wrong that Rohit has insisted on captaincy. He is the captain. Form or lack of form is part and parcel of the game. These are phases, nothing new. When he saw he was out of form, he dropped himself from the fifth Test." 
Rohit Sharma has been going through a rough patch, but the batter has been training with the Mumbai Ranji Team. He will be next seen in action for India in the England ODI series.
Also Read:<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/bcci-to-disallow-wives-or-girlfriends-on-tours-with-salary-cut-rule-on-performances-after-embarrassing-bgt-series-reports/"> </a><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/bcci-to-disallow-wives-or-girlfriends-on-tours-with-salary-cut-rule-on-performances-after-embarrassing-bgt-series-reports/">BCCI to disallow wives or girlfriends on tours with salary-cut rule on performances after embarrassing BGT series - Reports</a>

Of late, there have been reports that claimed that Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar have been involved in various tussles over the selection.

Rift between Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar? BCCI Vice-President drops massive "these are phases" statement

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India head coach Gautam Gambhir has come under a massive scanner for his poor coaching. However, BCCI has now decided to take the harsh step, and his future as head coach of the team will solelyy depend on how the team performs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 
As per the reports in PTI, it is learned that the BCCI will reevaluate Gautam Gambhir's position as head coach based on India's Champions Trophy performance next month. There have been several concerns over the rift in the dressing room because the head coach wants to end the superstar culture in the team. 
Ever since Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the head coach of the Indian team, things haven't looked good for the team. They lost the ODI series against Sri Lanka in 27 years, lost the home Test series against New Zealand and also lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, failing to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship final. 
<h2>If India doesn't do well in the Champions Trophy, the head coach's position could become untenable - BCCI source</h2>
A source close to the BCCI made a massive statement, saying that if India doesn't do well in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, he might be sacked. The source added that the head coach hasn't done anything good as of yet. Speaking to PTI, he explained: 
"If India doesn't do well in the Champions Trophy, the head coach's position could become untenable. Yes, his contract runs till the 2027 World Cup but the process of evaluation continues. Sport is result-oriented and till now, Gambhir hasn't given any tangible results." 
The source added that Gautam Gambhir wants to the end superstar culture in the ,team which hasn't gone well with many in the side. He explained: 
"Gambhir wants to end the superstar culture that has been prevalent for so many years now. As captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012, he had dropped Brendon McCullum from the playing XI for the IPL final against CSK. He has come here to dismantle the superstar culture and that's what has caused discomfort for some playing members." 
The reports also claimed that selection committee also aren't happy with Gautam Gambhir. The Ajit Agarkar-led side don't want head coach to have too much of a say in selection matters. With all the tides against him, the future looks bleak for him and hence ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be extremely important for him.
Also Read:<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/bcci-to-disallow-wives-or-girlfriends-on-tours-with-salary-cut-rule-on-performances-after-embarrassing-bgt-series-reports/"> </a><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/bcci-to-disallow-wives-or-girlfriends-on-tours-with-salary-cut-rule-on-performances-after-embarrassing-bgt-series-reports/">BCCI to disallow wives or girlfriends on tours with salary-cut rule on performances after embarrassing BGT series - Reports</a>

As per the reports in PTI, it is learned that the BCCI will reevaluate Gautam Gambhir's position as head coach based on India's Champions Trophy performance