India’s Decision on Champions Trophy Preparations-A Strategic Move

They will not play any warm up games before the tournament. This decision comes as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) focuses on a more strategic preparation approach for the Champions Trophy, which will be held from February 19 to March 9, 2025, across Pakistan and Dubai.

Although the Indian squad is straight into the high-stakes pressure cooker of the tournament, it is not completely unprepared. The BCCI has taken the decision on the back of the team's present momentum. Currently, the country is playing in a 3-match One-Day International (ODI) series against England, which will conclude on 14 th of February, a few days ahead of the Champions Trophy. T­he Bharat Cou­ns­i­tion of Cricket ­BCCI) is of the view that the cur­ren­t series against Eng­land is enough to pre­pare the Indian team for the tour­na­ment.

On the other hand, certain teams in the same group are using warm-up matches to test their tactics. For example, Pakistan has also commissioned three Shaheen teams (Pakistan A teams) for practice matches. These teams will play Bangladesh, South Africa and Afghanistan from the 14th to 17th of February. These preparation games will be a key last round of preparation prior to the competition for the participating teams, giving them a preview of the competing conditions.

Pakistan's Shaheens teams' warm-up matches are scheduled to be played at various stadiums. On February 14, the Shaheens will compete against Afghanistan at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Pakistan will prepare to play on February 17, with one Shaheens team playing South Africa, and another Shaheens team playing Bangladesh, in Karachi and Dubai respectively. The concluding warm-up game will consist of New Zealand playing Afghanistan on the 16th February in Karachi.

Notably, also preparing for the tournament are teams such as Afghanistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh, who are playing such preparation games. Afghanistan vs New Zealand is in the agenda and South Africa vs Bangladesh will be fully focused in Dubai or Karachi. These warm up is extremely important as they will prepare the teams to the conditions in Pakistan and Dubai prior to the highly-contested team ICC Champions Trophy.

Pakistan has conducted its warm-up matches in a very distinctive format, Shadab Khan has presided over one Shaheens team playing against Afghanistan, and Mohammad Huraira and Mohammad Haris the team captains in Karachi and Dubai respectively. This preparation is anticipated to give Pakistan some good game time before they meet other cricketing heavyweights in the Champions Trophy. Shaheens teams will contest a series of day-night matches to give them an adequate exposure to tournament conditions - both the conditions and the pressure of playing with lights on.

There may be some questioning of the decision to forgo warm-up matches, given that, as happens with most elite teams, including Pakistan and New Zealand, some form of these practice matches have been included in the schedule. However, the Indian team’s approach is rooted in confidence, with their recent series against England being considered an adequate foundation for what lies ahead. It looks as if the BCCI has faith in its present ability to cope with the competitive pressures of the Champions Trophy, even in the absence of further warm-up matches.

The schedule for the warm-up matches is as follows:

February 14: Pakistan Shaheens vs Afghanistan – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

February 16: New Zealand vs Afghanistan – National Stadium, Karachi

February 17: Pakistan Shaheens vs South Africa – National Stadium, Karachi

February 17: Pakistan Shaheens vs Bangladesh – ICC Cricket Academy, Dubai

These pre-tournament warm-up games are important for the respective teams, they offer a platform to experiment with tactics, adapt to the environment and be match-ready prior to the start of the tournament.

With the tournament draw nigh, fans and pundits are taking great interest in the teams' pretournament work. India's direct pathway to the tournament with no ensuing warm-up matches will attract considerable attention, especially as they come up against very strong opponents. With its formidable roster and strong track record, India remains one of the top contenders for the Champions Trophy 2025, despite the absence of practice games.

With the Champions Trophy starting, the plan and the tactical approach of each nation, and in particular the elite preparation strategy of India, will be faced and tried. Will this unorthodox decision by the BCCI work in India’s favor, or will the lack of practice games affect their performance? Only time will tell, but all eyes will certainly be on India’s journey through the 2025 Champions Trophy.