The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the Team of the Tournament for the Champions Trophy 2025, comprising players from just three nations.
The 12-member squad includes six players from India, four from New Zealand, and two from Afghanistan. Surprisingly, no players from South Africa, Australia, or host nation Pakistan made the cut, despite South Africa and Australia reaching the semi-finals.
India dominates the selection with Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, and Varun Chakravarthy in the main lineup, while Axar Patel is named as the 12th man.
New Zealand’s representatives include Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, and Matt Henry, while Afghanistan’s standout performers Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai also find a place in the squad.
The selection has sparked debate, particularly over the omission of key players from traditionally strong cricketing nations.
