Former opening batter Shikhar Dhawan has expressed his strong belief that India will emerge victorious in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 despite the team’s recent struggles.
India recently suffered their first-ever clean sweep defeat in a three-match Test series on their home turf against New Zealand.
However, Dhawan is optimistic about India clinching the trophy, citing their recent performances in the ICC events, having won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 earlier this year.
“We have a strong chance to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025,” said Dhawan. “We just won the T20 World Cup and reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. The team is in excellent form and rhythm.”
It’s worth noting that the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in Pakistan in the February- March window.
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However, as of now India’s participation in the tournament is uncertain as the BCCI seeks the government’s approval to visit the country.
Shikhar Dhawan also expressed confidence in the coaching of India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, while praising the previous head coach Rahul Dravid for building a team with a blend of veterans and talented youngsters.
“With Gautam [Gambhir] Bhai as [head] coach, and under the guidance of Rahul [Dravid] Bhai, we’ve done really well. We have a great mix of seniors and youngsters, which is crucial,” he added.
For the unversed, Shikhar Dhawan was part of the Indian squad that lifted the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.
The southpaw played a crucial role in India’s triumph and was awarded Player of the Series, having scored 363 runs in five innings at an average of 90.75 with two centuries.
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