Former New Zealand National Cricket Team pacer Tim Southee has backed the India National Cricket Team to be the strong contenders to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said that the Rohit Sharma-led side is always near the end in the big tournaments.
The stage is all set for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The mega event is all set to be played from 19th February in Pakistan and UAE. A total of eight teams will be taking part in the tournament and the final will be played on 9th March.
India will be opening their campaign in the game against Bangladesh on 20th February in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
All eight teams have been in decent form, and it promises to be an exciting tournament. India, no doubt, will be one of the strong favorites to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as they have been right on the money since the last few ICC events, winning the T20 World Cup 2024 and reaching the final of the ICC World Cup 2023.
India are placed in Group B and will be opening their campaign in the game against Bangladesh on 20th February. Following that, they will be taking on Pakistan on 23rd February and will end the league stage with a match against New Zealand on 2nd March.
India is a strong side when it comes to world events and is always there near the end – Tim Southee
Tim Southee believes that India will be dangerous in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He also backed the New Zealand National Cricket Team to do well, hoping that his team reaches the final of the tournament.
“It’d be nice. India is a strong side when it comes to world events and is always there near the end. So yeah, I’m sure they’ll be a dangerous side throughout, and hopefully, New Zealand will be there as well. I hope New Zealand makes it to the final,” Southee told the Times of India in an interview.
Hopefully, New Zealand can do well in that and, I guess, add to our silverware – Tim Southee
Tim Southee talked about the competition that will be there in the ICC Champions Trophy, adding that he has always enjoyed playing in the tournament. He also opened up about the squad of New Zealand, saying that they always perform well in ICC tournaments. Elaborating on the same, he said:
“It’s a great tournament, with the top eight sides competing for the trophy. It’s a short, sharp tournament, and it always has been. I’ve always enjoyed the ones I’ve played in. So, hopefully, New Zealand can do well in that and, I guess, add to our silverware,” Southee said.
“We have a great group of players coming through-players who have played a lot of cricket together. I think the ability to play as a team in world events, as well as in other games, is crucial. So I think, yeah, it’s about the style of play we’ve developed and having a group of players who have spent a lot of time playing together.”
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