The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to mark a grand co?meback on the international cricket calendar, beginning on February 19. After an eight-year gap, t?he prestigious tournament is making its return, bringing together the world’s top eight cricketing nations for an intense battle for supremacy.

Significance of the ICC Champions Trophy

Unlike the ODI World Cup, which features an extended league format, the Champions Trophy has built its reputation as a compact and high-intensity tournament wher??e only the top eight ranked ODI teams participate. This eliminates weaker opposition and ensures that every c?ontest is a clash between world-class teams, making the tournament one of the most challenging in international cricket.

For teams like South Africa, this tournament presents an opportunity to end their ICC trophy drought, having never won a major ICC event despite their cricketing strength over the years. Similarly, Pakistan, playing as co-hosts, will look to harness home advantage and recreate the magic of their 2017 Champions Trophy triumph, when they stunned India in the final to lift their maiden title. Meanwhile, dominant teams like India, Australia and England will be aiming to extend their supremacy in white-ball cricket by securing another ICC trophy. New Zealand, known for consistently performing well in ICC events, will be dark horses, hoping to upse?t higher-ranked opponents and push for a title challenge.

Also READ: CT 2025: New Zealand’s record in ICC Ch??ampions?? Trophy history

Michael Vaughan reveals his choice

After India’s dominant 3-0 whitewash of England in the ODI series, former England captain Michael Vaughan has backed India as the outright favourites for the upcoming multination tournament. Impressed by India’s depth and all-round balance, Vaughan stated that no other team comes close to matching India’s strength in current conditions.

He highlighted that India possesses an abundance of talent, with several world-class players not even part of the current squad. Their success against England was a testament to their versatility, depth, and adaptability, making them the strongest contenders for the Champions Trophy. Expressing his views on social media, Vaughan wrote, “India are a fantastic team with so many players not even in this teamâ€?They have everything covered and are clear favorites to lift the Champions Trophy.”

India are a fantastic team with so many players not even in this team .. they have everything covered & are clear favourites to lift the CT .. England look like a team searching for a method on these pitches .. #INDvsENG

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 12, 2025

Also READ: Top 5 highest ind?ividual ??scores in Champions Trophy history

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

The 4th T20I encounter between India and England turned out to be an absolute stunner. However, many cricket enthusiasts were not completely satisfied with the result of the game. Amidst the vocal critics of the series-decider was former England Michael Vaughan who came out on social media with a viral response that grabbed the attention of fans and analysts alike. Now, Iceland Cricket have came out and responded to Vaughan’s critical post opening?? up a fierce discussion in the c?ricketing world.

Michael Vaughan’s take on concussion sub

The discussion started as Shivam Dube had to leave the pitch amidst concerns over a potential head concussion due to the ball striking his helmet several times during India’s innings. Dube, who played a crucial role in ensuring India put out a competitive total even after slip-ups in the batting line-up, was replaced by Indian pacer Harshit Rana whose arrival? on the pitch proved to be detrimental to the English side.

Rana dominated the England ??batters who fell short to achieve the target by 15 runs even after a solid start. Crucially, the young Indian pacer took 3 wickets during his 4-over spell and dented England hopes of making a comeback in ?the series.

After the defeat, Vaughan, visibly frustrated with the result of the game, took to social media to question India’s choice of a pacer as a replacement for Dube. The post emerged as a major talking point in the cricketing world with some supporting Vaughan’s criticism and others asking to contain his disappointment.

Iceland Cricket take a jibe at Vaughan

Amidst a downpour of discussion on social media the official handle of Iceland Cricket responded to Vaughan’s concerns and implied to have known the outcome of the game beforehand??. The response sparked further discussions while some asking the need from Icelandic cricket board to spark further debate and others poked fun at Vaughan over his attempt to rule out the result of the game as dubious.

Also Read: Did India follow ICC rules in replacing Shivam Dube w??ith ??Harshit Rana during 4th T20I against England? Explained

Here’s the post 

We didn't need to check the score. We knew England must have lost. //t.co/JTxhdfCBtz

— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) January 31, 2025

The effects of the 4th T20I on the series

The 3rd encounter between the two nations proved to be crucial in the sense that India now carry an unbeatable lead in the 5-match series with a win in the opening 2 matches and England clinching a win in the 3rd T20I in Rajkot. The series is now poised at 3-1 in favour of the Indian side with the final matches set to be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 2. Following an epic battle in the shortest format of the game, the two sides will also play a 3-match ODI series before heading to play their respective fixtures of the Champions Trophy 2025.

Also Read: England captain Jos Buttler fumes over India’s use of Harshit Ra??na as concussion sub in the 4th T2?0I

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

In the opening match of the five-match T20I series between India and England at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, the hosts triumphed with a commanding seven-wicket victory. India now leads the series 1-0, thanks to a scintillating performance by their ace spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, who dismantled the English ba??tting lineup with his clever variations and pinpoint accuracy.

Chakravarthy’s spell was the cornerstone of India’s success. The right-arm leg spinner bowled a remarkable four-over spell, claiming three crucial wickets while conceding just 23 runs. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award and widespread praise from cricketing pundits, including former England captain Michael Vaughan.

Micheal Vaughan lauds Varun Chakravarthy’s brilliance

Impressed by Chakravarthy’s brilliance, Vaughan praised Indian spinner Chakravarthy, highlighting his skillful and deceptive craft. The former England batter described the Tamil Nadu bowler as a “lovely mystery spinner” who brings the ball back into right-handers, occasionally holds one up, and consistently targets the stumps. While not a big turner of the ball, his subtle variations make him challenging to face. Vaughan emphasized Chakravarthy’s consistency and intelligence, urging England to adopt a different approach to counter him.

“Chakravarthy is a lovely mystery spinner – kind of brings the ball back into the right-handers. Every now and again, he will just hold one up. He’s not a huge spinner of the ball, but just does enough, which makes it very difficult – always brings the stumps into play. He is very consistent and also very smart. England have got to find a different method of trying to put him under pressure,” Vaughan said in an interview with Cricbuzz.

Also READ: Twitter reactions: Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakravarthy shine as India crush England by 7 wickets in ??the Kolkata T20I

Vaughan praises Chakravarthy’s craftsmanship

Vaughan further expressed his admiration for Chakravarthy’s bowling, highlighting his understated, old-fashioned celebration style of simply walking away after taking a wicket. “I love watching him bowl because when he gets a wicket, he doesn’t celebrate. He just kind of walks away in an old-fashioned kind of celebration, ” former England skipper added.

Also R??EAD:  IND vs ENG 2025: Arshdeep Singh shatter??s Yuzvendra Chahal’s bowling record in the first T20I

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

India will take on England in the first T20I of their highly anticipated five-match series. The action kicks off on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata – a venue steeped in cricketing history and known for its vibrant atmosphere. As reigning ICC T20 World Cup champions, India will come into the match with the added confidence of recent success, while England will arrive eager to reclaim supremacy in this format.

India’s strengths: Mohammed Shami’s return and Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership

India will enter the series with a solid squad, bolstered by the return of veteran pacer Mohammad Shami, whose experience will be crucial in guiding the attack. Alongside Shami, the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav brings a fresh and aggressive dimension to the team. Yadav, known for his dynamic stroke play and ability to finish tight games, will be key in anchoring the middle order and providing stability in pressure situations. The inclusion of young talents like Dhruv Jurel and Harshit Rana further adds to the batting depth, making India a well-rounded and formidable force in this series. With both experienced campaigners and rising stars, India looks primed to challenge England’s dominance.

England’s challenge: Jos Buttler’s aggressive approach and all-round depth

On the flip side, England arrives in the series with a balanced and experienced squad, determined to reclaim dominance in the T20 format. Under the captaincy of Jos Buttler, England boasts a lineup full of explosive power hitters and clever bowlers who can adapt to varying conditions. The return of Moeen Ali adds depth to their all-round capabilities, while seasoned performers like Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid bring invaluable experience?? to the squad. England’s aggressive approach and adaptability, especially in different game situations, will be crucial in gaining the upper hand over the hosts. Their ability to put pressure on the opposition both with bat and ball makes them a formidable challenger in this series.

Also READ: IND vs ENG 20?25, T20I series: Broadcast, Li??ve Streaming details �When and where to watch in India, USA, UK, Pakistan, Australia & other countries

Michael Vaughan’s predictions for IND vs ENG T20I series

Former cricketer Michael Vaughan has already made his predictions for the upcoming five-match T20I series between India and England. In a response to a fan’s question, Vaughan expressed his belief that England will emerge victorious in this contest, backing Buttler’s men to outclass Suryakumar’s India.

According to Vaughan, England will clinch the series by a narrow margin of 3-2. “England will win 3-2,” Vaughan confidently stated on his social media platform X . His prediction has stirred discussions among fans and analysts alike, reflecting the ?closely matched nature of the two teams and adding further anticipation to what promises to be a gripping contest. With every match holding the potential to swing the outcome, this series is expected to keep cricket enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.

England will win 3-2 //t.co/rldOScutYz

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 22, 2025

Also READ: IND vs ENG 2025: Kolkata Weather Forecast for the India?? vs England 1st T??20I

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Michael Vaughan remains one of the most celebrated captains in England’s cricket history, remembered for leading the national team to a historic Ashes triumph in 2005, their first in 18 years. Under his leadership, England flourished, with Vaughan captaining the side in 51 Test matches and 60 ODIs during a distinguished career that spanned nearly a decade. His tenure set a benchmark for tactical acumen and resilience, inspir??ing a generation of English cricketers.

Now, it seems Vaughan’s legacy of leadership has found its way to the next generation, as his son, Archie Vaughan, has been appointed captain of the England Under-19 squad for their upcoming tour of South Africa. The young Vaughan’s appointment highlights not just his potential as a player but also his ability to lea??d, much like his father.

Archie Vaughan to lead the youth England team

The 19-year-old has been selected as the skipper of the under-19 national side as they head to South Africa to play 3 ODIs and 2 Test matches against the junior Proteas team. The junior English team’s tour to South Africa will begin on January 17 as they will play their first ODI against South Africa’s under-19 side in Cape Town. The ODI se??ries will be followed by red- ball action beginning 27th January in Stellenbosch.

Also Read: England’s Ben Stokes s??hares an update on his recovery after omission from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

As Archie is appointed the captain of England’s under-19 side, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await to ??see if he can emulate his father’s leadership success. While expressing his happiness over the news, he highlighted the importance being the skipper of the national side carries for him.

â€??œTo get the opportunity to represent England at this level is really special in itself, but to lead the team out is s?omething else. If someone had told me 12 months ago that I would have forced my way into the Somerset first team and be captaining the Under-19s, I wouldn’t have believed them. It happened quickly but I’m going to keep my feet on the ground and work harder and harder,â€?/em> junior Vaughan said during a recent discussion.