Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has stirred controversy by naming Pakistan as the favorites for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, leaving Indian fans fuming.
In an interview with Star Sports, Gavaskar highlighted Pakistan’s home-ground advantage as a key factor, saying, “Pakistan should be considered favorites for the upcoming Champions Trophy because of the home-ground edge. While India has announced a strong squad, based on current form, Pakistan seems to have the upper hand to win the tournament.”
Gavaskar’s praise for Pakistan has not gone down well with Indian fans, many of whom criticized and trolled the cricket legend on social media.
Pakistan famously won the 2017 Champions Trophy final by defeating India with a massive 180-run margin, a match still fresh in the memories of cricket enthusiasts.
The tournament kicks off on February 19, with the final scheduled for March 9.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will feature eight teams divided into two groups:
Group A: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand
Group B: Australia (current ODI World Cup champions), England, South Africa, Afghanistan
