India’s 2025 Champions Trophy campaign is off to a great start, with a win over Bangladesh under their belt. Now, the team is gearing up to face Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai. This fifth match of the Champions Trophy is crucial, as a win for India would almost guarantee their spot in the semi-finals. On the other hand, a loss for Pakistan could mean they’re out of the running for a semi-final spot.
Group A Standings
As it stands, both India and Pakistan are part of Group A in the Champions Trophy. Looking at the points table, India is currently sitting in second place with one win under their belt. New Zealand is at the top, also with one win, but their net run rate is better than India’s. If India manages to defeat Pakistan, their place in the semi-finals will be all but secured. With only four out of the eight teams making it to the semi-finals, every match counts.
India trails behind New Zealand in the Group A standings, with New Zealand boasting a net run rate of +1.200 and India at +0.408. Bangladesh is in third place, followed by Pakistan in fourth. In Group B, South Africa is dominating with a net run rate of +2.140, followed closely by Australia. England and Afghanistan round out the group in third and fourth place, respectively.
Key Players to Watch
When it comes to Team India’s playing XI, there’s not much room for change. Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul are all expected to play crucial roles against Pakistan. Mohammed Shami is a definite inclusion in India’s bowling attack and could prove to be a game changer. India has a history of performing well against Pakistan in ICC ODI tournaments, and with their players in top form, they’ve got a good shot at coming out on top.