The India vs Pakistan cricket match is not just a game; it is an emotion, a spectacle that transcends sport. Every encounter between these two cricketing giants garners massive global attention, uniting millions of fans in anticipation, excitement, and national pride.
With the upcoming India vs Pakistan match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, cricket lovers worldwide are gearing up for yet another thrilling chapter in this historic rivalry. This article delves into everything you need to know about this high-stakes clash—its history, key players, match schedule, viewing options, and more.
- The Legacy of the India vs Pakistan Rivalry
The rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket is one of the most intense and widely followed sporting contests in the world. Dating back to 1952, when they first played against each other, this rivalry has only grown in intensity due to political, historical, and cultural factors.
Over the years, both teams have produced nail-biting encounters that have gone down in cricketing folklore. Here are some key statistics from their head-to-head encounters:
Total ODI Matches Played: 135
Pakistan Wins: 73
India Wins: 57
No Result: 5
However, India has dominated Pakistan in ICC tournaments, particularly in the Cricket World Cup, where India holds an 8-0 record over their arch-rivals.
One of the most memorable clashes was the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final, where Pakistan stunned India with a 180-run victory. On the other hand, India has consistently outperformed Pakistan in World Cups, making every new contest unpredictable and exhilarating.
- India vs Pakistan: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Match Details
Tournament: ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Date: February 23, 2025
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE
Time: 2:30 PM IST
With India refusing to travel to Pakistan for security reasons, the Champions Trophy 2025 is being played in a hybrid model, with India’s matches being hosted in Dubai while the rest of the tournament is played in Pakistan.
The match will be held in Dubai International Cricket Stadium, a venue known for its batting-friendly pitches with occasional assistance for spinners. The dew factor in night matches could also play a crucial role in determining the outcome.
- Squads and Key Players to Watch Out For
Both teams come into this match with a well-balanced squad, but individual brilliance often tilts the scale in favor of one team.
India Squad and Key Players
India’s squad is packed with experienced stars and young talent:
Rohit Sharma (Captain) – A dangerous opener who has scored three double centuries in ODIs.
Virat Kohli – Arguably the best chase-master in modern cricket. His record against Pakistan is impressive.
Shubman Gill – One of India’s most promising young batters, recently scoring a century against Bangladesh.
Mohammed Shami – An in-form fast bowler with a recent five-wicket haul.
Ravindra Jadeja – A world-class all-rounder who can turn the game with both bat and ball.
With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable due to injury, the bowling attack will rely on Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav to deliver breakthroughs.
Pakistan Squad and Key Players
Pakistan has a blend of young and experienced players:
Babar Azam – One of the world’s best batsmen, with a phenomenal record in ODIs.
Mohammad Rizwan (Captain) – Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman, known for his resilience.
Shaheen Afridi – A deadly left-arm pacer, famous for his spell against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Shadab Khan – An all-rounder with crucial contributions in the middle order.
Naseem Shah – A rising fast bowler capable of swinging the ball both ways.
Pakistan, however, is facing a setback with opener Fakhar Zaman ruled out due to injury.
- Recent Form and Team Preparations
Both teams have had contrasting runs leading up to this match.
India has been in solid form, recently defeating South Africa in a bilateral series. Their batting lineup has been clicking well, and their bowling attack remains formidable despite the absence of Bumrah.
Pakistan, on the other hand, faced a disappointing defeat against New Zealand in their opening match of the Champions Trophy, putting them under immense pressure to bounce back.
With India riding on confidence and Pakistan aiming for redemption, the match promises to be an electrifying contest.
- Pitch and Weather Report for the Match
The Dubai pitch has traditionally been batting-friendly, but it does offer assistance to spinners in the middle overs. The dew factor in evening matches might make bowling second a bit challenging.
Pitch Type: Flat, good for batting
Average First Innings Score: 270-290
Weather Forecast: Clear skies, with temperatures around 28-30°C
Captains might prefer to chase due to the impact of dew, which makes gripping the ball difficult for bowlers in the second innings.
- Where to Watch the India vs Pakistan Match Live?
Cricket fans can catch this epic battle on various platforms.
TV Broadcast (India)
Star Sports Network – English, Hindi, and regional languages
Live Streaming (Online)
Disney+ Hotstar (Website and App)
TV Broadcast (Pakistan)
PTV Sports
Ten Sports Pakistan
Additionally, fans can also follow live updates on ESPN, Cricbuzz, and ICC’s official website.
- What to Expect from the Match?
Top Battles to Watch Shaheen Afridi vs Rohit Sharma – Afridi dismissed Rohit for a duck in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Can Rohit take revenge?
Virat Kohli vs Haris Rauf – A contest between India’s best chaser and Pakistan’s lethal pacer.
Babar Azam vs Kuldeep Yadav – Babar is a masterful player of spin, but Kuldeep has dismissed him in previous encounters.
Winning Prediction
If India’s top order fires, they are likely to dominate.
If Pakistan’s pace attack gets early breakthroughs, they could put India on the back foot.
The toss will be crucial—teams might prefer chasing due to the dew factor.
With so much at stake, expect a high-voltage clash that will go down to the wire.