Champions Trophy 2025: India and Pakistan's strongest combined XI

The 2025 Champions Trophy, which will be the ninth edition of the tournament, will start on February 19. The top eight ranked One Day International teams fight for this prestigious trophy, which is going to be hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates this time around.

Advertisment

India and Pakistan, the much-awaited rivalry, is scheduled to be played on February 23. These two teams were the finalists the last time when Pakistan clinched the title. Both these teams look good but let’s see what a combined XI of these teams may look like.

The first position in the team of the opener will automatically go to the man who has been dominating ICC tournaments in the last decade, especially in ODIs, Rohit Sharma. He would also be the skipper of the team. Gill and Babar can be great options for number two, but Fakhar Zaman with his aggressive approach can make a better pair.

At number three, nobody in the world has better numbers than Virat Kohli. Even though he may be facing a slump, he would still make the playing XI. Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Rizwan can occupy fourth and fifth positions in this team with Rizwan taking the gloves as well.

Advertisment

There are certain things that only Hardik Pandya can do and so he is certain for number six. The other all-rounder role can be filled by Ravindra Jadeja who can not just contribute with the bat and ball but is an exceptional fielder as well fitting the role extremely well.

The key role of the spinner would have to be handled by the chinaman, Kuldeep Yadav who has been sensational in the last two ICC tournaments he played. 

The pace attack of this team looks terrific and every batting unit would be wary of them right now. The left-arm pacer, giving the variation to the pace battery and the ability to take early wickets, Shaheen Afridi would be placed ninth. The man who shook the 2023 World Cup, Mohammad Shami would be slotted at 10. The last position, but the most important one to the recent Cricketer of the Year, Jasprit Bumrah is a default for this team.

Advertisment

The team looks extremely deadly and can easily take on any other team in the world.

India vs Pakistan best combined XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Fakhar Zaman, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Rizwan, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at Sky247 India and download the Sky247 app to start betting today!