Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes India holds a distinct advantage heading into the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, citing their familiarity with the Dubai pitches as a key factor in their favour, especially in the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash.
In an interview with ANI, Singh said, “There’s a lot of hype around the India-Pakistan match, but the team that adapts better to the pitch will come out on top. India has an advantage as it will play all its matches in Dubai, giving them a better understanding of the pitch and conditions. Overall, I feel India is a stronger team than Pakistan, and I expect the result to be in India’s favour.”
The former bowler also discussed the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, stressing that while no player can truly replace him, this opens up opportunities for others like Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami to rise to the occasion. “When a player like Bumrah isn’t playing, others have to step up. No one can truly replace him, but this is an opportunity for players like Arshdeep and Shami to make an impact and prove themselves,” Singh added.
Harbhajan also expressed confidence in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, despite recent criticism over their form. “Virat and Rohit haven’t scored as many runs as expected given their previous performances. Expectations are high, and when they fall short, criticism is inevitable. But with the Champions Trophy approaching, they have a chance to prove themselves and show they can still win matches for India. If they don’t perform, younger players may get more chances, but I believe both have plenty of cricket left in them. They are highly capable and can still score runs,” he said.
On the rise of domestic cricket leagues globally, Harbhajan praised their growth and suggested that the involvement of Indian players could significantly boost their appeal. “Domestic leagues are emerging in many countries, and we’re seeing the same in the UAE with matches held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Local players are getting a chance to showcase their talents, which is great. Any league needs time to grow, and now in its third year, this one looks much stronger. The potential is huge, especially with the large Indian and Asian-origin population passionate about cricket but with fewer opportunities. If Indian players join, it will only increase the league’s appeal,” he said.
Harbhajan added that while the number of local players in these leagues is currently limited, increasing their participation from two to four or five would raise the competitiveness of the leagues. “For that to happen, local players need to continue developing, and with Indian players coming in, the excitement will grow.”
The ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be an intense two-week competition, featuring the world’s top eight teams battling it out in 15 matches over 19 days. Fans can still purchase tickets for the event online or from physical ticket providers in Pakistan. Tickets for the final on March 9 will be available after the first semi-final concludes in Dubai, according to the ICC.
