Champions Trophy 2025: Suresh Raina Predicts ‘Player of the Tournament’
With just a few weeks left for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, discussions among fans, cricket experts, and former players are heating up. The tournament, set to begin on February 19, has already sparked a wave of predictions. Many experts have shared their picks for the semi-finalists and finalists. In this regard, Suresh Raina has made a surprising prediction about the ‘Player of the Tournament’ for the Champions Trophy.
Suresh Raina’s Bold Prediction
Former Indian left-handed batsman Suresh Raina has made a notable prediction regarding the best player of the tournament. Surprisingly, he did not choose Indian captain Rohit Sharma or star batsman Virat Kohli. Instead, Raina believes that young opener Shubman Gill will shine the brightest in the Champions Trophy.
Speaking on Star Sports, Raina said:
“I will not be surprised if Shubman Gill becomes the best player of the tournament in the Champions Trophy 2025.”
Shubman Gill’s ODI Career & Role in Champions Trophy 2025
Shubman Gill is expected to open alongside Rohit Sharma in the ODI-format Champions Trophy. Since making his international debut in 2019, Gill has been a standout performer in ODIs.
Shubman Gill’s ODI Stats:
- Matches Played: 47
- Runs Scored: 2328
- Batting Average: 58.20
- Strike Rate: 101.74
- Centuries: 6
- Half-Centuries: 13
- Highest Score: 208 (Double century vs New Zealand in 2023)
In the Champions Trophy 2025, Gill has also been entrusted with a big responsibility as India’s vice-captain.
India’s Schedule & Hybrid Model for Champions Trophy 2025
Due to security concerns, India will play all its matches in Dubai under a hybrid model, even though the tournament is hosted by Pakistan.
India’s Group Stage Matches:
- February 20: vs Bangladesh (Dubai)
- February 23: vs Pakistan (Dubai)
- March 2: vs New Zealand (Dubai)
If India qualifies for the semi-finals and final, those matches will also be held in Dubai. However, if India fails to reach the final, the title clash will take place in Lahore on March 9.
India’s Squad for Champions Trophy 2025
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain)
- Virat Kohli
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Shami
- Rishabh Pant
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
With the tournament fast approaching, all eyes will be on Shubman Gill to see if he can live up to Raina’s prediction and deliver a match-winning performance for Team India. 🏏🔥
