India and Bangladesh were greeted by a low crowd in Dubai for their opening match of the 2025 Champions Trophy. After months of deliberation and meetings to discuss the location of India’s matches after choosing not to travel to Pakistan, the fans didn’t quite show up in their droves in Dubai to see two Asian teams go at it.
A sea of blue seats dominated the broadcast as India ripped through the Bangladesh top order early. It led to questions from fans as to the marketing efforts by the ICC around this Champions Trophy, as well as how engaged fans are with the concept given the sheer amount of ICC tournaments, especially since the start of 2021.
Fans react to low crowd in Dubai for India vs Bangladesh match
It remains to be seen how much the crowd builds throughout the day. However, there is the risk the match won’t last until the lights take effect given Bangladesh’s poor start.
“If a global cricket event can’t even fill a stadium for an India match, it’s an embarrassing failure of its administration and marketing,” wrote one fan on X. “Almost an empty stadium in Dubai for India vs Bangladesh. People are not taking Champions Trophy seriously,” wrote another.
Shocking to see empty stands for India vs Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy! 🇮🇳🏏 Team India’s matches usually have crazy hype, but this time—no crowd, no atmosphere! Is it the weak opposition, poor scheduling, or lack of local interest? Strange sight! 🤔 #IndvBan#EmptyStadiumspic.twitter.com/X2RtEqKQN7
Probably the first but looks like back to back failures of an @ICC Event. Can't just rely on #INDvPAK games to get a buzz or crowds in. #ChampionsTrophy has had no attraction at all. #PAKvNZ was a dull due to no crowd and now #INDvBAN has no crowd puller. #ICC…
What are your thoughts? Is the low crowd in Dubai just temporary until it builds further throughout the day? Or is the Champions Trophy lacking prestige in an environment where there are yearly ICC tournaments?
The winner of this contest will join New Zealand on two points in Group A. The Black Caps were too strong for Pakistan on the opening day, defeating the hosts by 60 runs.
Afghanistan and South Africa will kickstart their campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy (CT) 2025 in the 3rd match overall. Both sides will be eager to do well in the competitive tournament, and teams must capitalise on whatever chances they get in the group stages.
Afghanistan had a great year in ODIs in 2024. They lost to Sri Lanka 3-0 in February but after that they defeated Ireland (2-0), South Africa (2-1), Bangladesh (2-1) and Zimbabwe (2-0). The Afghan batters have been in great form, and the bowlers have done an excellent job as well. Allah Ghazanfar will be a big miss for them, but despite that, they have a pretty balanced squad with quite a few experienced campaigners in Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan and Rahmat Shah.
They will be pretty confident for this game after defeating the Proteas 2-1 in their last meeting in ODI cricket.
Meanwhile, the Proteas will have another shot at ending their ICC Trophy drought in this tournament. They do have a very capable squad for the tournament with the likes of Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller and others in their ranks.
South Africa lost both games in the recently concluded tri-series, but they didn’t have their full-strength squad available for these matches. The Proteas had a poor 2024 when talking about the 50-over format. They lost to Afghanistan 2-1 and 3-0 to Pakistan in their backyard. They defeated Ireland 2-1. South Africa will be itching to do well in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
CT 2025 3rd Match: AFG vs SA Probable Playing XIs
With Allah Ghazanfar ruled out and Mujeeb ur Rahman also missing out, Nangeyalia Kharote and Noor Ahmad should be the two spinners apart from Rashid Khan. It’ll be interesting to see who they go with as the opening partner for Gurbaz.
It’s unlikely that youngster Tristan Stubbs will start for South Africa in this game. The Proteas may look to play Wiaan Mulder over Lungi Ngidi considering the latter’s current form.
South Africa: 1. Ryan Rickelton (wk), 2. Temba Bavuma (c), 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. Aiden Markram, 5. Heinrich Klaasen, 6. David Miller, 7. Wiaan Mulder, 8. Marco Jansen, 9. Keshav Maharaj, 10. Kagiso Rabada, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi
National Stadium Karachi Pitch Report and Weather
This will be the second game of the tournament at this venue. The first game between Pakistan and New Zealand saw ample help for the spinners. There was turn and grip on offer for them. There was no dew as well in the second innings, but batting looked easier towards the last 10-12 overs of the second innings.
The batters will have to get in before playing their shots. There will be little to no movement for the pacers with the new ball. Batters and spinners will be crucial in this match. Teams may prefer chasing, but batting first will be a tempting option as well.
A cloudy day is on the forecast, with the highest temperature being 28 degrees Celsius. Humidity will be around 40-60% during the game.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for AFG vs SA: Players to Watch/Key Stats
Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if your are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.
Top Wicket-Keeper Picks:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been brilliant for Afghanistan in ODIs. He’s the highest run-scorer for Afghanistan in the last 12 months: 531 runs in 11 innings at an average of 48.27, including three hundreds and two fifties. Gurbaz averages 54.80 against South Africa with a hundred and a fifty in four games.
Heinrich Klaasen scored 264 runs in just three innings in 2024, including three fifties at an average of 88 and a strike rate of 123.36. Klaasen also scored a fifty in the tri-series game against Pakistan. He is one of the best middle-order batters in world cricket and will be a must in your fantasy teams.
Key batter picks:
Temba Bavuma will be a key batter for his side at the top. He averages 43.25 in 45 ODIs with five centuries and five fifties to his name. Bavuma scored 82 against Pakistan in the tri-series. He will be a top pick in fantasy cricket.
Rassie van der Dussen was in top form in the SA20. He’s a good player of spin bowling and will be a key player in fantasy cricket. Rassie scored 76 in his only ODI againstAfghanistan back in 2023.
Top all-rounder picks:
Azmatullah Omarzai has been a match-winner for Afghanistan with both bat and ball. He has scored 417 runs in 12 ODIs in 2024 at an average of 52.12 with three fifties and a hundred. Omarzai also picked up 18 wickets at an average of 18.33 during this period.
Marco Jansen is another quality all-rounder to pick for this game. He can tonk the ball down the order and will lead South Africa’s pace attack. Jansen picked six wickets in 3 ODIs last year.
Mohammad Nabiscored 411 runs in 11 ODI innings in 2024 at an average of 41, including a fifty and a hundred. He will be a key batter for his side in the lower middle order.
It is high time now that Aiden Markram converts his starts into big scores. He will be a key batter for the Proteas in the middle-order and will fancy his chances on the wickets in Pakistan.
Key bowler picks:
Rashid Khan is arguably the best spinner in white-ball cricket at the moment. He picked up seven wickets in just two games against South Africa last year and had a total of 15 wickets in just six games in 2024 at an average of 12.47 including a 5-fer.
Kagiso Rabada had a good SA20 and will be an important bowler for the Proteas. He will be a good pick in fantasy cricket, especially while bowling first.
Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Team
David Miller can be a game-changer in fantasy cricket for this game. He averages 41.57 in ODIs and can fetch you plenty of points with his style of play with Dream11’s new points system.
Sediqullah Atal has 230 runs in 6 ODIs at an average of 46 with a fifty and a hundred to his name. He will be a top pick if he plays.
Noor Ahmad will be a key bowler for his side, especially in the middle overs. He is a genuine wicket-taker and can go through any batting line-up on his day. The pitch assisted the spinners in the first game here, and he will get good help if it’s a used wicket.
Rahmat Shah scored 280 runs in 13 innings last year at an average of 23.33, including four fifties. Strike rate is a big concern for him but you can consider him in your fantasy teams.
Ryan Rickelton scored 171 runs in four innings in 2024 at an average of 42.75. He will be a must in your fantasy teams if he plays this game. He had a stellar season in the SA20 recently.
Other Matchups and Facts
Heinrich Klaasen versus Rashid Khan will be a key battle for both sides. Rashid has dismissed Klaasen once in five deliveries in ODIs and thrice in 52 deliveries for 95 runs in T20s.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz struggles against left-arm pace and Marco Jansen can trouble him initially. He has dismissed the Afghan batter twice in 10 balls for just three runs in T20Is.
Rashid Khan needs two wickets to complete 200 ODI wickets.
CT 2025 3rd Match: AFG vs SA Dream11 Prediction
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.
Option 1:
CT 2025 3rd Match – AFG vs SA Dream11 Prediction.
Option 2:
CT 2025 3rd Match – AFG vs SA Dream11 Prediction.
CT 2025 3rd Match: AFG vs SA Match Prediction – Who will win?
South Africa has good quality and depth with the bat but Afghanistan has a bowling attack, especially their spinners. It’s going to be a nect-to-neck contest but expect Afghanistan to edge the Proteas in this clash. I think Afghanistan will win.
Written by Robin Rounder. Follow Robin on X @robin_rounder
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
South Africa squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen
South Africa in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup
Matches played: 14
Matches won: 4
Matches lost: 10
W/L ratio – 0.400
Batting run rate – 5.35
Most runs for South Africa in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup:
Tony de Zorzi (LHB): 423 runs, AVG: 42.30, SR: 95.27, 100s: 1, 50s: 1
Since the 2023 World Cup, South Africa have the (joint) worst record of all the teams participating in the Champions Trophy. They enter the tournament on the back of six consecutive losses, but much of this is attributed to league matches and being unable to field a full-strength ODI side.
“I know they’ll shine through when it comes to these world events, these marquee events. The guys tend to step up. They tend to bring their best cricket,” said white-ball coach Rob Walter at the Wanderers after suffering a 3-0 series loss against Pakistan. “We’ve seen that for two World Cups in a row.”
“The reality is the lead up into the Champions Trophy won’t be anything, like the lead up to the World Cup. That’s the reality of the way the schedule is stacked up. But at the end of the day, I’ve just got to trust in the quality of the players,” he said. “Obviously, the switching in codes will potentially pose a little bit of a challenge to us. But again, it’s not like the guys have not played 50-over cricket. So, I trust that when the time comes, we’ll be there.”
South Africa SWOT Analysis for the 2025 Champions Trophy: Will the Proteas turn around their poor run of form in ODIs?
Top-Order Conundrum
South Africa will be without Quinton de Kock, who retired from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup, at an ICC event for the first time since 2014. They have yet to settle on an opening partner for skipper Temba Bavuma but aren’t bereft of options, with Tony de Zorzi and in-form Ryan Rickelton competing for the spot. If needed, Aiden Markram could also be promoted to the top of the order.
In any case, Rassie van der Dussen will bat at No. 3. “Rassie has been a stalwart at No. 3, so we’re hesitant to change his position given the way he’s contributed there,” said Walter. However, while he appeared in decent touch in the recently concluded SA20, his ODI record since the start of the World Cup is somewhat concerning: 590 runs across 19 innings at an average of 32.77 and a strike rate of 78.98.
A Power-Packed Middle-Order
South Africa boasts a middle order so strong that a player of Tristan Stubbs’ calibre – who would start for most other teams – may miss out. Aiden Markram will occupy the No. 4 spot and play fulcrum alongside van der Dussen for the side. He will be followed by the powerful duo of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, forming what is arguably the world’s most destructive ODI middle order.
Klaasen, in particular, is enjoying some of the best form of his career. He has notched up four 80+ scores in his last four innings. Since the start of 2023, he averages 53.25 at a strike rate of 137.56 in ODIs. In overs 31-50, his strike rate soars to 165.48, second only to Glenn Maxwell’s 168.63 (min. 200 balls faced).
His partner-in-crime, Miller, isn’t too far behind, with 595 runs at a strike rate of 130.20 in overs 31-50 in ODIs since 2023.
South Africa SWOT Analysis for 2025 Champions Trophy: Most runs scored in overs 31-50 in ODIs since 2023
Seam-bowling all-rounders Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, and Corbin Bosch provide additional depth to the lineup.
Proteas’ Bowling Arsenal: Seam and Spin Depth
South Africa will have five frontline seamers – Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, and Wiaan Mulder – at their disposal. Bosch, who can bowl express pace and is a handy lower-order batter, was named as the replacement for the injured Anrich Nortje after his standout performances for MI Cape Town in their championship-winning campaign.
While Rabada and Jansen form a formidable new-ball pair, expect Mulder to start in the XI at No. 7 as the third seamer, thanks to his improved batting over the last 15-18 months.
Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi will spearhead the spin attack, with the former, in particular, evolving as a bowler in recent years. During the 2023 World Cup, he even reached the summit of the Men’s ODI bowling rankings, and he will once again play a key role for the Proteas in a tournament in Asia. Markram will serve as the sixth bowler with his part-time off-spin.
While South Africa’s Powerplay bowling looks sorted, middle-overs pace and slog-overs may pose concerns. Bosch, though capable of clocking high pace and pushing batters onto the backfoot, struggles with control at this stage of his career, a challenge shared by Mulder as well.
South Africa Predicted XI for the 2025 Champions Trophy
1. Temba Bavuma (c), 2. Tony de Zorzi/Ryan Rickelton, 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. Aiden Markram, 5. Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6. David Miller, 7. Marco Jansen, 8. Wiaan Mulder, 9. Corbin Bosch/Tabraiz Shamsi, 10. Kagiso Rabada, 11. Keshav Maharaj
South Africa SWOT Analysis
Strengths:
Unmatched middle-order firepower, particularly Heinrich Klaasen
Destructive slog-overs batting
Excellent depth in batting with Jansen potentially at No.8
Wicket-taking new-ball duo in Rabada and Jansen
Weaknesses:
Lack of a reliable middle-overs enforcer in the absence of Nortje and Coetzee
Death-bowling concerns
Top-order instability and Powerplay run-scoring post-de Kock
Opportunities:
Clinch the trophy, erase the ‘C’ tag, and rewrite legacy
Capitalise on the form of some of their key players
Threats:
Bowling unit could struggle if Jansen-Rabada fail to strike up front
Limited ODI game time for several players
Psychological baggage of crumbling under pressure in ICC tournaments
Babar Azam has been widely criticised by fans and pundits following his innings of 64 (90) in the opening match of the 2025 Champions Trophy against New Zealand in Karachi. Babar, the number two-ranked ODI batsman, faced 52 dots, part of a top order that never got going in the run chase of 321.
At the start of their innings, Pakistan had to climb a hill – a relatively rocky one – with a required run rate of 6.42. By the time ten overs had been bowled, that hill was quickly turning into Everest. The asking rate ballooned to 7.12, with the hosts mustering just 22 runs – the worst tally they have ever put together in the first ten overs of a home ODI.
Saud Shakeel (6 off 19 balls) and Mohammad Rizwan (3 off 14 balls) also have a lot to answer for regarding Pakistan’s poor start. However, things did not improve thereafter. By the end of the 22nd over, Pakistan had played out 95 dots and the run rate did not touch four until the 29th over thanks to Salman Agha’s 28-ball cameo that yielded 42 runs.
Poor innings from Babar Azam that put Pakistan under further pressure
Truth be told, it was a poor innings from Babar that lacked any substance or intent. Even with the asking rate climbing to over nine an over, Babar continued to play ultra conservatively, even dead-batting deliveries from New Zealand’s offspinners which should, in theory, be a favourable matchup for a right-handed batter.
In fact, Babar did not hit a single boundary between the 16th and 33rd over. As the set batsman with Pakistan already well behind the asking rate, plus Fakhar Zaman’s injury, such an approach gave them next to no hope of victory.
PAK vs NZ reactions: Babar Azam’s 64 (90) came in for plenty of criticism.
Those in defence of Babar ask why he cops the most criticism while others are performing under-par.
The answer is simple.
Given Babar was regularly compared with the fab four and lots of noise has been made about his high ODI rankings over the years, the spotlight will naturally be on him in big games. His 64 off 90 balls is quite damaging in a run chase of 321, where 15 overs are taken up and the pressure increases massively on those around him.
Reactions: Babar Azam cops plenty of criticism for his 64 (90) in the 2025 Champions Trophy opener
Pakistan still lost by a handsome margin of 60 runs despite excellent knocks from Khushdil Shah (69 off 49 balls) and Salman Agha (42 off 28 balls). As a result, Mohammad Rizwan’s team now faces a must-win scenario against archrivals India in Dubai on Sunday.
The reactions to Babar Azam’s 64 (90) were scathing. “This was the worst innings i have seen from a Pakistani batter in a chase. Even Misbah’s SF knock (in 2011) wasn’t this bad,” wrote one fan on X.
“Any other team would have dropped Babar Azam unfortunately for us, he plays for Pakistan— where meritocracy is nonexistent. Players like Rizwan, and Shaheen still riding on the coattails of the 152-0 result from 2021 – arguably the worst thing to ever happen to Pakistan cricket,” wrote another.
Here are some of the reactions to the innings.
Babar still plays ODI cricket from 1980s. Just two boundaries against part-time spinners, milking runs in middle overs. This doesn't work in modern cricket. #PakvsNz
Babar Azam didn't hit a single boundary from 16th over till 33th over. 16 overs without a single boundary while chasing 321 is criminal work. This was the worst innings i have seen from a Pakistani batter in a chase. Even Misbah's SF knock wasn't this bad.
Any other team would have dropped Babar Azam unfortunately for us, he plays for Pakistan— where meritocracy is nonexistent. Players like Rizwan, and Shaheen still riding on the coattails of the 152-0 result from 2021 – arguably the worst thing to ever happen to Pakistan cricket.
Babar has a fine ODI record on paper. But those stats don't tell the story of far too many innings like today where he puts pressure on his teammates & leaves his team requiring a miracle. Pretty innings that don't threaten the opposition.
Salman Ali Agha had to take all the risk and go after every bowler because the self-proclaimed king on the other side was busy scoring his fifty on 90 balls. Shame on all those still supporting this statpadder now that he has cost the nation their nth international trophy.
An absolutely disgusting, disgraceful inning from Babar. There shouldn't be any excuse to play like this when so much is at stake. You play to win. In front of his countrymen, not only Babar has done a disservice to his team, but also to the high hopes so many fans have for him.
There have been atleast 30-35 better white ball batters than Babar what makes this even more funny is he was getting compared to Kohli once, who is the greatest of this format. Has to be the worst comparison world has ever seen
Babar Azam has made no effort to improve his game. Same one dimensional style of batting, doesn't want to take risks when needed and Pakistan fans portray him like he's some of savior of Pakistan Cricket. He's a self obsessed starpadder who cannot win games for his country.
Babar Azam is playing in the wrong era. He's too slow for the two ball era. His game was perfectly suited for the one ball era where teams needed to score 230-270 to win the game.
On the other side, New Zealand showed why they are one of the tournament favourites. After falling to 73/3, they dominated thereafter, with Will Young and Tom Latham striking magnificent centuries. With the ball, they were never troubled, always in control of the situation thanks to a combination of tight bowling and poor Pakistani batting.
Next up for the Black Caps is Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Monday. If India beats Bangladesh and Pakistan, a win for New Zealand in that game will seal qualification to the semi-finals.
Tournament favourites India lock horns with Bangladesh in the 2nd match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT). The action moves to Dubai after months of speculation as to whether India will travel to Pakistan. After their decision to not travel, a hybrid tournament was announced and Rohit Sharma’s team will be seeking to make the most of the conditions.
India come into the tournament in good form. They beat England easily, with their long batting lineup and well-rounded bowling unit proving too strong. How well they will fare without Jasprit Bumrah remains to be seen, but can Bangladesh challenge them enough?
The Tigers have largely struggled in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup. Their pace bowling is cause for optimism, but their batting output – especially that of their top order – is a worry. Plus, the hole Shakib Al Hasan’s absence leaves is a big one, with veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah still expected to do the heavy lifting.
In this article, we will look at the possible XIs, Dubai pitch report, fantasy cricket tips and Dream11 Prediction for the 2nd match of CT 2025.
CT 2025 2nd Match: IND vs BAN Possible Playing XIs
India should play three seamers including Hardik Pandya, with Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav the spin options.
Bangladesh have some decisions to make about the make up of their bowling attack. Tanzim Hasan Sakib did worry India in the 2023 Asia Cup, where he dismissed Rohit Sharma.
Dubai International Stadium Pitch Report and Weather
The weather is perfect in Dubai at this time of year. The forecast is for a top of 26 degrees and mostly sunny conditions.
In terms of the Dubai surface, pacers had a good time in the recent UAE ILT20 league, taking 68.2% of the wickets. The average first innings score in that tournament was a modest 157.67, with the chasing team winning 11 of 15 matches.
Expect the team who wins the toss to choose to chase under lights at a ground where batting second usually reigns supreme.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for IND vs BAN: Top picks for Dream11 – Key Players
Top wicket-keeper picks:
Mushfiqur Rahim is likelier to get an opportunity to play a longer innings. Overall against India, Rahim has scored 703 runs at an average of 31.95 and strike rate of 73.68.
Key batter picks:
Shubman Gill is a genuine captaincy option in Dream11. With 2,587 runs at 60.16, Gill has established himself as one of the best ODI players in the world. He is coming off scores of 87, 60 and 112 against England, and has a fifty and century in two ODIs against Bangladesh.
Rohit Sharma found form with 119 in the recent ODI series against England. Also, Rohit averages 56.14 in 17 ODIs against Bangladesh, with three fifties and three hundreds.
Virat Kohli is seeking a return to his best form, but you’d be a brave fantasy player to leave him out of your Dream11 team. Kohli has the most runs in IND-BAN ODIs (910) at an average of 75.83 and strike rate of 101.78.
Top all-rounder picks:
There is a case for Hardik Pandya to take the new ball against Bangladesh’s shaky top order. Nevertheless, he can still chip in with wickets given his hit-the-deck style. Batting wise, seeing India’s depth, Hardik’s best opportunity to make an impact is if they bat first.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz is one of Bangladesh’s key bowlers and should get a chance to bat, providing opportunities for Dream11 points. Mehidy has a ton and seven wickets in seven ODIs against India.
Top bowler picks:
Wristspin can be Bangladesh’s kryptonite. Kuldeep Yadav is ready to pounce. The wristspinner has ten wickets in six ODIs at Dubai at an average of 23.70 and economy of 4.08.
Arshdeep Singh has taken the most wickets for India since the 2023 World Cup with 14 at an average of 16.64.
Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams
Ravindra Jadeja is coming off a superb series against England where he took 3/26 and 3/25. He can pounce against Bangladesh’s inability at times to rotate strike against accurate spin.
Axar Patel can be a solid differential option especially if India bats first. He is a chance to bat as high as five.
Shreyas Iyer is an excellent pick, especially if India bats first. Batting at number four, Shreyas has smashed 1,578 runs at an average of 52.60 and strike rate of 103.81. This includes 59, 44 and 78 in the recent ODIs against England.
Soumya Sarkar has scored the most ODI runs for Bangladesh since the 2023 World Cup (430) at an average of 43.00 and strike rate of 93.68.
Najmul Hossain Shanto averages 59.66 in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup (358 runs).
Taskin Ahmed has the most wickets for Bangladesh since the 2023 World Cup, with 14 at an average of 23,92.
Mustafizur Rahman has 25 wickets in 12 ODIs against India at an average of 21.88.
Other Key Stats and Matchups
Mushfiqur has scored 105 runs in 137 balls (one dismissal) against Ravindra Jadeja, 37 off 45 (one dismissal) against Axar Patel and 11 off 22 (no dismissals) against Kuldeep Yadav in ODIs.
Shubman Gill against Mustafizur Rahman in ODIs: 32 balls, 46 runs, no dismissals.
Virat Kohli strikes above 100 in ODIs against Mustafizur (58 balls, 68 runs, one dismissal) and Taskin Ahmed (34 balls, 35 runs, one dismissal). He also has 55 runs in 65 balls against Mehidy Hasan Miraz without dismissal.
Rohit Sharma in ODIs at Dubai: 5 matches, 317 runs, avg. 105.66, SR 93.51.
CT 2025 2nd Match: IND vs BAN Dream11 Prediction Today 21 February
Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.
Option 1:
CT 2025 2nd Match: IND vs BAN Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
CT 2025 2nd Match: IND vs BAN Dream11 Prediction
CT 2025 2nd Match: IND vs BAN Match Prediction – Who will win?
India will win comfortably.
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
Haris Rauf (right-arm pace): 14 wickets, AVG: 22.42, ECO: 4.94
Abrar Ahmed (right-arm legspin): 13 wickets, AVG: 25.30, ECO: 4.98
Naseem Shah (right-arm pace): 13 wickets, AVG: 36.84, ECO: 6.18
Pakistan 2025 Champions Trophy SWOT Analysis: Can Mohammad Rizwan’s team go far?
Ayub’s Absence Forces Babar Azam into Opening Role for Pakistan
Pakistan faced a significant setback when 22-year-old Saim Ayub, who played a key role in their series victories in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, was ruled out of the tournament due to injury. In his absence, Pakistan has called upon Babar Azam to open the innings.
It is a shame that a great tour by Saim Ayub has had to end like this
“At the top, if the ball swings, he can control it. When Abdullah Shafique got out early in South Africa, Babar had to deal with the new ball anyway. He was coping with the seam and swing and enabling us to attack at the end. So, we thought why not go for our most technically solid player to open, rather than throwing someone else in at the deep end.”
Babar scored 10, 23, and 29 across three innings as an opener in the Tri-Series, with his overall average as an opener in ODIs sitting at just 17.60 (5 innings). However, there’s no reason to believe this is anything more than a result of a small sample size. Given Babar’s skill and class, there’s every reason to have confidence in him to eventually succeed.
“It’s not as if he is doing something drastically different, but he is still getting out. Luck has evaded him. I am confident he’ll come out of it”, Rizwan said.
Fakhar Zaman, recalled to the ODI side after the 2023 World Cup, will open the batting alongside Babar Azam, with Saud Shakeel expected to bat at No. 3.
Pakistan’s Batting Blueprint
One area where Pakistan has been slightly below par of late is their Powerplay batting. The top-order has failed to provide the necessary impetus up front, and while Fakhar may help a bit on this front, even his ODI career strike rate in the Powerplay is just 84.1, which rises to 100.4 in overs 11-40. Saim Ayub too struck at only 80 in the Powerplay, which then rose to 132.2 in the middle overs.
The middle overs, perhaps, are where Pakistan’s true batting strength lies. All the criticism that Babar and Rizwan face for their T20 game is actually perfect for this format. In Salman Agha, Pakistan has another batter who can pace his innings well and is a fine player of spin Though, if Babar departs early, hit-the-deck pace could pose a challenge for their middle order.
Pakistan 2025 Champions Trophy: Will Babar Azam have a big tournament?
Tayyab Tahir, who averages 46.91 in List A cricket (albeit not batting at No. 6), and Khushdil Shah – who has returned to the ODI side after three years, thanks to his stellar run of form in the BPL, where he scored nearly 300 runs at a strike rate of 175.29 (which skyrocketed to around 240 in the death overs) and took17 wickets (the most for a spinner) – complete the batting lineup.
However, quality pace, particularly if it tests their backfoot play, could well restrict the Pakistan lower order’s run-scoring.
Pace Power and Spin Deficiencies: Pakistan’s Bowling Dynamics
One of Pakistan’s key strengths in white-ball cricket has been their pace attack. Shaheen, Naseem, and Rauf each bring distinct skill sets and strengths to the table, forming a very well-rounded overall unit. Though they appeared ordinary in each match of the Tri-Series (Rauf bowled only 6.2 overs before getting injured), Pakistan would not feel too perturbed about their pace attack heading into the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan would be particularly pleased to see Haris Rauf finding form after a couple of poor years in ODIs (averaging 21.2 since 2024 compared to 35 in 2022-23 in overs 11-40). His ability to hit the deck hard at high pace will be especially useful in the middle overs, given the squad’s scarcity of spin resources.
With the exception of Abrar Ahmed, who has an experience of just seven ODIs, Pakistan have no other frontline spin options in the squad. Khushdil and Agha offer some part-time spin and may be required to combine and bowl the 10 overs of the fifth bowler, which is a high-risk strategy and could be a major loophole in their bowling attack.
Pakistan Predicted Starting XI for the 2025 Champions Trophy
1. Fakhar Zaman, 2. Babar Azam, 3. Saud Shakeel, 4. Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), 5. Salman Agha, 6. Tayyab Tahir, 7. Khushdil Shah, 8. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9. Naseem Shah, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Abrar Ahmed
Pakistan Champions Trophy SWOT Summary
Strengths:
Home advantage
Excellent all-phase pace attack
Middle-overs batting stability
Weaknesses:
Vulnerability of middle and lower order against high-pace and back-of-length pace
Slow starts in the Powerplay
Almost non-existent spin attack
No frontline fifth bowling option
Opportunities:
Restore ICC tournament reputation with a successful title defense
Chance for Abrar to establish himself as the leader of the spin attack
Threats:
Injury-prone pacers
History of imploding under pressure and psychological baggage of post-2017 ICC tournament failures
Flat tracks could neutralize Pakistan’s attacking pacers
After months of deliberation, the 1st match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) is here. Pakistan, the last winners back in 2017, will be seeking the perfect start to the tournament at home against New Zealand, who beat them comprehensively twice in last week’s ODI tri-series.
As always, Pakistan have the talent to make a mark. However, can they deliver under pressure? Their pace attack can trouble teams, but the lack of a specialist fifth bowling option is a concern. Also, can Babar Azam go big as opener?
The Black Caps look settled. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell look in fine touch, with Tom Latham enjoyed a return to form. The bowling attack has variety and depth, even more so if Lockie Ferguson is fit to return. As one of the more favoured teams in the tournament, New Zealand will be seeking a repeat of their tri-series performances.
In this article, we will look at the Possible XIs for both teams, Karachi pitch report, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Dream11 Prediction and Match Prediction for the 1st match of CT 2025.
CT 2025 1st Match: PAK vs NZ Possible Playing XIs
Haris Rauf confirmed he is ready to go. “I am fit and bowled today without any pain,” he said in a presser.
Pakistan: 1. Fakhar Zaman, 2. Babar Azam, 3. Saud Shakeel, 4. Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), 5. Salman Agha, 6. Tayyab Tahir, 7. Khushdil Shah, 8. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9. 10. Naseem Shah, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Abrar Ahmed
In a huge blow for New Zealand, Lockie Ferguson is out of the tournament due to a foot injury. Rachin Ravindra, who copped a nasty blow to the head in the tri-series opener against Pakistan, is also a chance. However, the Black Caps are likely to be cautious around Ravindra’s return.
New Zealand: 1. Will Young, 2. Devon Conway, 3. Kane Williamson, 4. Daryl Mitchell, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. Glenn Phillips, 7. Michael Bracewell, 8. Mitchell Santner (c), 9. Matt Henry, 10. Jacob Duffy, 11. Will O’Rourke
Huge loss for @BLACKCAPS and really disappointed for Lockie personally as he always puts his body on the line for his country. . So many new ball bowlers in the squad now so interested to see who is going to bowl the tough overs through the middle within this New Zealand squad… https://t.co/y3E2oKhMPf
Expect a good batting surface in Karachi. South Africa hit 352/5 in the tri-series, before Pakistan chased it with an over to spare with centuries to Agha Salman and Mohammad Rizwan. In the final, however, spinners were dominant as Mitchell Santner (2/20) and Michael Bracewell (2/38) did not let Pakistan get away.
Chasing will be important. So, expect the captain who wins the toss to bowl. A warm and mostly clear day is forecast, with a top of about 29 degrees.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for PAK vs NZ: Players to Watch/Key Stats
Top wicket-keeper picks:
Mohammad Rizwan’s strike rate is in question, but can gain Dream11 fantasy points thanks to his consistent run-scoring. The Pakistan captain hit 171 runs in the recent tri-series, including an excellent hundred against South Africa.
Key batter picks:
Kane Williamson comes into CT 2025 in excellent form (225 runs in the tri-series at 112.50). Also, Williamson has the most runs all-time in PAK-NZ ODIs, with 1,290 at an average of 56.08. This includes 11 50+ scores in 24 matches. A genuine Dream11 captaincy option.
Daryl Mitchell enjoys batting against Pakistan: 10 inns, 536 runs, avg. 53.60, SR 95.03. This includes scores of 81 and 57 in the tri-series. Also, Mitchell can target Pakistan’s lack of top class spin in their XI.
Fakhar Zaman has a career average of 65.81 in 19 ODIs against New Zealand. This includes 84 in the recent tri-series.
Top all-rounder picks:
Agha Salman has a key role to play for Pakistan as both a frontline bowler and middle order batsman. He scored 219 runs and bowled 19.4 overs in the recent tri-series. Salman also enjoys batting in Karachi (408 runs, avg. 58.28, SR 108.80). Pick in your Dream11 fantasy team with confidence.
Key bowler picks:
Will O’Rourke has wicket-taking ability at all stages of the innings. He hits the deck hard and can challenge the Pakistani batsmen in that regard. He took 4/43 in the recent tri-series final.
Shaheen Shah Afridi is a genuine wicket-taker, despite going for 15 per over in the death overs during the tri-series. He took six wickets, with two coming in each of the three stages of the innings, and has 24 wickets overall in 11 ODIs vs New Zealand.
If fit, Haris Rauf is a key Dream11 pick. The fast bowler has enjoyed a revival in ODIs, averaging 21.2 between overs 11-40 since the start of 2024.
Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Team
Usually Babar Azam would be one of the top picks. However, his recent form after moving to opener has been shaky (62 runs in three innings in the tri-series). But, Babar can never be written off, especially given his ODI record at Karachi: 10 inns, 509 runs, avg. 50.90, SR 88.21.
Devon Conway comes into this game in decent form. He hit 97 against South Africa, followed by 48 in the tri-series final and 66 against Afghanistan in the warm-up.
Glenn Phillips is unlikely to bowl many overs given the bowling options New Zealand have. But, he is an excellent differential pick given Pakistan’s death bowling worries. In fact, Phillips smashed a century against Pakistan in the recent tri-series. Plus, he fields in the hot spots which can provide fantasy points.
Naseem Shah enjoys bowling in ODIs at Karachi: 5 inns, 13 wickets, avg. 20.61, SR 20.76.
Mitchell Santner was outstanding in the tri-series final (2/20). He averages 40.23 with the ball against Pakistan, but his economy and ability to pick wickets makes him a differential pick, especially if the Black Caps bowl first.
Other Matchups and Facts
Pakistan will want Shaheen Shah Afridi to bowl to Kane Williamson as soon as possible. Shaheen has conceded just 30 runs in 50 balls, taking a wicket.
Matt Henry has dismissed Babar Azam three times in 123 balls in ODIs, conceding just 81 in the process. Henry has also dismissed Fakhar Zaman thrice (111 runs in 145 balls).
Mohammad Rizwan in ODIs at Karachi: 8 inns, 415 runs, avg. 69.16, SR 84.52.
CT 2025 Match 1: PAK vs NZ Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
Wicket-keepers: Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Devon Conway
Batters: Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam
All-rounders: Agha Salman, Mitchell Santner
Bowlers: Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Option 2:
Wicket-keepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Devon Conway
Batters: Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Fakhar Zaman
All-rounders: Agha Salman (vc), Glenn Phillips
Bowlers: Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf
CT 2025 Match 1: PAK vs NZ Match Prediction – Who will win?
Chasing could prove vital in this game. But, New Zealand’s greater depth and more bowling options gives them the edge. Black Caps to win.
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
India 2025 Champions Trophy Squad SWOT Analysis: Will the favourites go on to win?
India’s Spin-heavy Squad: Is Five Too Many?
India are heading into the Champions Trophy with a squad featuring five spinners and only three specialist seam-bowling options. All of their matches will be played in Dubai, where the ILT20 – the only recent tournament held at the venue – saw pacers claim 68.2% of the wickets, while spinners took just 31.8%.
This isn’t to suggest that India’s spinners won’t perform; they’re all top-tier and can shine on almost any track. But having five of them might just be an overkill. Especially when you consider that there are only three specialist pacers, and one of them, Shami, is returning from injury and still isn’t quite at his best, and the other two have a combined 12 matches of ODI experience.
Instead of replacing Yashasvi Jaiswal with Varun Chakravarthy, India could have considered recalling Mohammed Siraj to add more depth to their seam attack, especially in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
Seam Attack Setbacks: Navigating Bumrah’s Injury
Jasprit Bumrah’s absence is a significant setback. Not only does it impact India’s death-bowling, but their new-ball attack also takes a considerable hit without him, forcing Arshdeep Singh – the squad’s only real threat with the new ball – to start in the XI.
Indian bowlers: 0/146 in 18 overs (ECO 8.11) in the first six overs of the series.
Interestingly, Mohammed Shami’s ODI numbers in the first six overs – when new-ball movement is at its best – aren’t particularly impressive. He’s most effective as a first-change bowler, a role in which he excelled during the 2023 World Cup.
When does the first bowling change usually happen in ODIs? After 6 overs?
Mohammed Shami in ODIs —
Overs 1-6: 28 wickets in 231 overs, 37.5 AVG Overs 7-20: 39 wickets in 201 overs, 21.7 AVG
India also faces a slog-overs issue, and Shami has never been particularly renowned as a death-bowler. He’s also returning from injury, and his bowling in the second ODI in Cuttack wasn’t particularly reassuring.
On the contrary, the 6’2″ Harshit Rana proved effective with his hit-the-deck methods, often bowling at speeds exceeding 140 kph. While he was occasionally expensive, he finished the England series as the joint second-highest wicket-taker and remained a consistent threat with the ball.
However, while he can seam the new ball, he isn’t quite a new-ball bowler at this stage of his career and is better suited to bowling in the middle overs. His cutters and pace variations also make him a valuable option at the death. With the new ball, India may have to turn to Hardik, who, while not ideal, offers better line control than Harshit and can even generate some movement away from right-handers.
While this setup is far from ideal, and Bumrah’s injury has been a major setback, India didn’t help their cause by leaving out Siraj. Now, they must focus on maximising their available resources through smart utilisation.
India 2025 Champions Trophy Squad Analysis: Should Mohammed Siraj have been selected?
India’s Batting Blueprint for the Champions Trophy
India has retained their batting core from the 2023 ODI World Cup, and rightfully so. All of their top five batsmen boast an average of over 45 in ODI cricket and have been instrumental to the team’s success in recent years. The fact that Rishabh Pant — who would likely start in almost any other side — will be a backup speaks volumes about the strength of India’s batting.
The only concern was (is?) the form of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While the former silenced his critics in style with a swashbuckling, match-winning century in Cuttack, Kohli also contributed with a run-a-ball half-century in the third ODI. Though it wasn’t the most convincing knock, the runs and time spent in the middle will undoubtedly benefit him as he heads into the Champions Trophy.
To avoid an all-right-handed top five, India may consider promoting Axar Patel ahead of KL Rahul to No. 5, as seen in the England series.
“That’s the way cricket is meant to be played,” Gambhir said of Axar’s promotion. “I know a lot of people talk about it, but that’s the way we got to play the game, and that’s the way cricket should be played. It’s not about the batting order, it’s about who can create what impact. And it’s about just if you have the option of putting a quality left-hand batter in the middle; why won’t you do that?
“Why would you want to have top five as right-handers? We don’t look at averages and stats and all that stuff. We look at who can deliver more at that number. And Axar has done fabulously well. Both the games [in which] he got the opportunity; he delivered for us. I know there will always be talk – there will always be people talking about it – but I think that’s the way we want to go in future as well.”
With Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja also in the mix, India’s batting lineup is arguably stronger than ever.
One of India’s key strengths lies in the depth they possess in both departments, thanks to their all-rounders.
Playing Jadeja and Axar together gives India immense depth and flexibility in both departments. Against left-hand-heavy opponents, depending on the opposition's overall composition, one of them can make way for Sundar. The depth isn't compromised that way.
While some might argue that playing two players of similar roles – Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel – is a waste of a spot, it’s important to note that, despite both being left-arm spinners who bat left-handed, they offer distinct skillsets.
While Jadeja, with his high-arm action and ability to impart heavy revs on the ball, challenges both edges of the bat, Axar, with his wider release, keeps the ball moving into the right-hander even after pitching, primarily targeting the inside edge of the bat. Thanks to his height, Axar also releases the ball from a higher point than Jadeja, adding another layer of distinction to their styles.
With the bat, while Jadeja is more of a lower-order pace hitter, Axar stands out as one of the best players of spin in the country, adding immense value as a floater in the middle overs.
India Predicted Starting XI for the 2025 Champions Trophy
Australia fans will need an Amazon Prime Video subscription to watch the 2025 Champions Trophy. The eight-team competition kicks off on February 19 in Pakistan.
Australians also required the same subscription to watch the 2024 T20 World Cup, part of the ICC’s broadcast deal with Amazon Prime Video for all men’s and women’s tournaments. This includes the World Test Championship Final in June, where Australia will take on South Africa at Lord’s.
Hushidar Kharas, Head of Prime Video in Australia and New Zealand, is on record of saying that fans can watch all the big matches on the platform. “Over the next four years, Prime members in Australia will be able to watch their favourite cricket teams and players compete for the game’s biggest prize, on demand, on the device of their choice—exclusively on Prime Video,” he said.
Details on how to watch the 2025 Champions Trophy in Australia
If you don’t have an Amazon Prime Video subscription, you can take advantage of a 30-day free trial that will see you to the end of the Champions Trophy. The tournament is a short one, ending on March 9.
After the free trial period ends, the cost is either AU$9.99 per month or AU$79 per year with the option to cancel anytime.
Australia head into the tournament in shaky form after a 2-0 series defeat in Sri Lanka. If the Australians find a way to win the tournament (despite their absentees), they will hold the World Test Championship, ODI World Cup, Champions Trophy, and all bilateral Test trophies in men’s cricket.
The tournament kicks off with hosts and defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand on February 19. Australia’s first match will be against archrivals England on February 22. All matches start at 8pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).
Rajat Patidar has been named as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). It is a decision that may have come as a surprise to some given Virat Kohli was widely tipped to take back the captaincy after the franchise decided not to retain Faf du Plessis, but many have also praised the move.
Patidar led Madhya Pradesh in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he had a superb tournament. The batsman smashed 428 runs at an average of 61.14 and strike rate of 186.08, including five fifties in nine innings.
Speaking at an event in Bengaluru where the announcement was made, RCB coach Andy Flower said Rajat Patidar had some great qualities that swayed the franchise name him captain.
“I could speak for quite a long time about Rajat, but I’ve settled on three main things that I thought might be interesting to share,” Flower said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“The first one is there’s a calmness and a simplicity to Rajat that I think will stand him in really good stead as a leader and a captain, particularly in the IPL.
“The second thing I’d say about him, he’s inherently quite a quiet guy, but observing him, he cares about the people around him, he cares about the people that he plays with, that he shares a dressing room with.
“And then the third thing that stands out for me about him is that he’s got a stubbornness and a strength and a steeliness about him. I’ve seen it myself when I’m trying to coach him in the nets and he won’t listen to me, but you see it in the way that he plays. You see the bravery with which he takes on the game and I think that quality within him will be really important for him through the ups and downs, the inevitable ups and downs that come along with playing in the IPL, and now stepping up another gear into leading a big franchise in the IPL.”
Reactions: Virat Kohli and fans react to RCB naming Rajat Patidar as captain for IPL 2025
Virat Kohli congratulated Rajat Patidar on his appointment as captain of the franchise. Kohli, who captained RCB in 143 games, asked everyone to get behind Patidar and support him.
“The way you have grown in this franchise and the way you have performed, you have really made a place in the hearts of all the fans of RCB all over India and they get really excited to watch you play,” Kohli said in a video released by RCB. “I’ve seen Rajat evolve in the last couple of years as a player. He has got the chance to play for India. His game has improved many levels in the last couple of years.
“The way he has led his state team as well and the responsibility that he’s taken and has shown everyone that he has what it takes to lead this amazing franchise and I just wish him all the very best and I would request all the fans to show him absolute support, get right behind him and know that he will always and always do what’s best for the team, what’s best for this franchise.”
𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬! 💌
“Myself and the other team members will be right behind you, Rajat”: Virat Kohli
“The way you have grown in this franchise and the way you have performed, you’ve made a place in the hearts of all RCB fans. This is very well deserved.”… pic.twitter.com/dgjDLm8ZCN
Fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the decision by RCB. There were debates as to whether he is the right candidate, with eyes firmly on RCB as they seek their first IPL men’s title.
Big expectation on Rajat Patidar’s shoulder as a captain of RCB. Wishing him all the luck.
Whether or not Rajat Patidar is a good on-field captain is secondary, the bigger factor for RCB's season will be his batting. If he doesn't have a good season with bat, the captaincy will be immaterial. Their most important batter by a fair distance IMO.
The way he batted in the SMAT, captaincy certainly didn't seem to faze Patidar. Different ball game in the IPL but very keen to see how he goes on the field. From a batting POV though, he's easily the most important cog in the current RCB side #IPL2025
Rajat Patidar! Congratulations on officially becoming the new RCB captain!Released in 2021 and then came back as a replacement player halfway through in 2022. This is arguably the greatest transformation of a player! From a reject in 2021 to now RCB captain Well done👏
I'm sure this stint will open the door for him to the Indian cricket setup, and if form had a synonym, it would be Rajat Patidar! Pure class, effortless timing, and a habit of delivering in crunch moments—this man deserves every bit of the limelight. Keep shining, skipper! pic.twitter.com/7EiS0nTpon
Rajat Patidar said "I am very grateful that RCB fans have showed me so much love & support from the last 3 to 4 years – I think I am blessed that I play for RCB". pic.twitter.com/VrwAbr3BqN
It's actually fitting that Rajat will captain RCB in his 1st ever game at 'Eden Gardens' where his life literally changed overnight after that brilliant Hundred in Eliminator. I'm so happy for him. ❤️ https://t.co/LqzyZHjtgv
There has never been a more poorly run franchise in the sport. RCB is to IPL what Tottenham is to EPL!
In a mega auction year, they didn’t get a captaincy alternative and now are stuck for next 3 years. This surely wasn’t their Plan A, B or C! https://t.co/gT1gEzOnho
