India Prepares for Champions Trophy 2025 with Warm-Up Matches in Dubai
)
India is set to play a warm-up match against either Bangladesh or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.
Under a hybrid rule by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Team India will play all its matches in Dubai, avoiding Pakistan altogether. India is anticipated to play their first match against Bangladesh on 20 February 2025, with a practice game to help the players acclimatise to the conditions.
According to reports, an ICC official confirmed that discussions are in place regarding a warm-up match for the team. However, India is not relying solely on this match, as they have an ongoing five-match T20I series against England followed by a three-match ODI series.
The ODIs against England will take place on 6, 9, and 12 February at home, providing athletes with sufficient time to transition focus to the 50-over format. This matches would also assess pacer Mohammed Shami’s fitness ahead of the tournament.
Shami has not played since the 2023 ODI World Cup final, but despite being fit, he has yet to participate in the T20I series against England due to team combinations. His fitness is crucial, especially as India may be without star pacer Jasprit Bumrah due to a back injury. The BCCI has selected Harshit Rana as Bumrah’s replacement for the initial ODIs, while Mohammed Siraj has not made the ODI squad.
The fixtures for India's matches are as follows:
- 20 February 2025: India vs Bangladesh at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai (2.30 pm)
- 23 February 2025: India vs Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai (2.30 pm)
- 2 March 2025: India vs New Zealand at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai (2.30 pm)
