Champions Trophy 2025 All 8 Teams Best Possible Playing 11
Team India start as the favourites in our best possible playing 11 for all 8 teams for the Champions Trophy (CT) 2025.
The moment is here. The moment we all have been eagerly waiting for. The ICC Champions Trophy, which is making a comeback after 8 years will kick-start on Feb 19, 2025, with New Zealand taking on hosts Pakistan in the Group A clash. It’s the fight of champions as the top 8 ODI teams on paper battle it out against each other for the ultimate glory.
While all teams were excited to witness the clash, most of the teams have been severely it by injuries with Australia being hit the most. While Australia lost as many as 5 players from their squad, India, South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan lost 1 each. With so many players missing, it certainly affected the playing 11 of each team, and changes the team combination drastically.
So, in this article, we make an attempt to analyze the complete squad and players list of all 8 teams, for Champions Trophy 2025 and identify the team combination each team is likely to play. The focus shall be on identifying the players that are likely to feature in the playing 11. So, without wasting much time, let’s deep-dive into the best possible playing 11 for all 8 teams for the Champions Trophy 2025.
Champions Trophy 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Afghanistan
Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fareed Ahmad, Noor Ahmad & Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Afghanistan will see a stable opening combination of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz with Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi to follow as pure batters. With four solid batters, Afghanistan will see their all-rounders Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, and Mohammad Nabi. The bowling shall depend on Rashid Khan, Fareed Ahmad, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Champions Trophy 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Australia
Travis Head, Matthew Short, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa & Spencer Johnson.
Australia may have lost many quality bowlers, but their batting lineup is still intact. Travis Head and Matthew Short as opening partners is a solid choice. Labuschange, Steve Smith, and Josh Inglis in the middle-order is a solid combination. Maxwell as a finisher is fantastic. Probably, Australia might miss an all-rounder, but Aaron Hardie and Sean Abbott are potent lower-order batters. The bowling looks decent with Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Spencer Johnson leading the attack.
Champions Trophy 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Team India
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami & Kuldeep Yadav.
Team India did a lot of experimentation in the England ODI series, but they are likely to play a stable and experienced playing 11 in the Champions Trophy. While batting till number 7 seems sorted, the team should play Axar Patel as the floating all-rounder for batting depth. Whereas the bowling should mostly comprise of Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Champions Trophy 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for New Zealand
Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry & Will O’Rourke.
The New Zealand team’s biggest dilemma in the playing 11 shall be the availability of Rachin Ravindra. Rachin was severely hit on the face, and since then has been unavailable. If Rachin is fit, he should play above Will Young. If not, Will Young should continue. Another challenge is the fitness of Lockie Ferguson. While Lockie bowled 3 overs in the warmup match, it will be interesting to see if he is continued in the playing 11.
Champions Trophy 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for England
Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid & Mark Wood.
The England team had a nightmare in India in the ODI series, but there is definitely quality in the playing 11. Ben Duckett and Phil Salt should be the openers in the team with Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Jos Buttler in the middler-order. The finishing duties shall rely on Liam Livingstone and Jamie Overton. Whereas the bowling shall rely on Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Brydon Carse, and Mark Wood.
Champions Trophy 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for South Africa
Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada & Tabraiz Shamsi.
South Africa look one of the best teams in the competition. The team should see Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi as openers with Rassie, Markram, and Klaasen forming the middle-order. The finishing duties are also solid with a focus on David Miller and Marco Jansen. Given the form Mulder is in, he should be preferred above Lungi at the moment. Whereas bowling should rely on Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, and mostly Tabraiz Shamsi.
Champions Trophy 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Pakistan
Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c&wk), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khusdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf & Abrar Ahmed.
The hosts Pakistan have a few challenges in their playing 11, and there is inexperience in this side. Aside from Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and somewhat Salman Agha, the other batters, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, and Khusdil Shah are inexperienced. This can be an issue for the hosts, but they do have competent bowling to cover up their batting weakness. The only question in the playing 11 is whether Pakistan select Haris Rauf or Faheem Ashraf.
Champions Trophy 2025 Best Possible Playing 11 for Bangladesh
Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Jaker Ali, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Tanzim Sakib, Taskin Ahmed & Mustafizur Rahman.
The Bangladesh team will see Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar as the two solid openers. Captain Najum Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, and Mushfiqur Rahim will make up for a solid middle-order. The finishing duties shall rely on Jaker Ali and Mahmudullah. Whereas the bowling shell depend on Mehidy Miraz, Tanzim Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Raman.
So, that’s about the best playing 11 for all 8 teams for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
