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Virat Kohli in 2023 World Cup (Source:@CricCrazyJohns/X.com)
Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to kickstart from 19th of February and it has been a long wait of eight years for cricket fans. The mini-World Cup, as it was fondly known earlier will now be held every four years, and all eyes are on the 2025 edition with reigning champions Pakistan hosting the majority of matches in the tournament.
So, the next Champions Trophy will be played in 2029 which is quite a long time away, and there are chances that many big current star players would not be playing at that time. One of the favourites for this 2025 edition is India and it is because of some big names and their consistent performances over the years.
The Men in Blue played the final of the 2023 World Cup and also the finale of the Champions Trophy 2017, so they would be itching to get their hands on title this around. The added motivation will be the last Champions Trophy for some of their senior players who are not likely to play four more years for India, and here are the three of those biggest names.
1. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is a modern-day legend and there are very few people who even come close to the Indian star. The man is 94 runs away from 14000 ODI runs and has an average of 58.18 with 50 hundreds and 72 fifties and will be a key player for India in Champions Trophy 2025.
However, he is now 36 year-old and the form off-late has been indifferent with his consistency taking a hit across formats. He has already retired from T20Is, and there are calls for his retirement from Test cricket as well. Kohli though is known for his fighting attitude, and might stretch himself till 2027 ODI World Cup which will be played in South Africa.
The legendary batter though might not play till 2029 as he would be 40 by then and selectors would like to look at the younger lot till then. So, Virat Kohli who will be playing his fourth edition of Champions Trophy would surely find it tough to comeback for another shot at the 8-team affair.
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2. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is another big name who in all likelihood playing his final Champions Trophy. He found his groove as an opener in white-ball format during the 2013 Champions Trophy and never looked back since. He has 10866 runs in ODIs with 31 hundreds and three double centuries and has been an inspirational leader in white-ball formats in the last couple of ICC tournaments.
His ultra-aggressive approach at the top of the order is working wonders for India in white-ball formats, but he is 37-year-old and like Kohli, the most he might play is till 2027 ODI World Cup. There are constant talks about his fitness and whether he would be able to survive till 2027 or not, and it is hard to see him stretching himself till 2029 Champions Trophy.
His performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy will be critical in determing his future in ODI cricket, and there are even chances that he could hang his boots, if things don't go his way in the tournament.
3. Mohammed Shami
The fast bowler has been injury-prone throughout his career, and has been playing selectively in white-ball formats. He has been out of international cricket since the 2023 World Cup and though he is fit and raring to go now, it would be very difficult for him to play for four more years.
Shami is also 34-year-old and fast bowlers generally retire in their mid 30s so for the pacer it is all about taking one series at a time and there are chances that he might not even play ODI cricket after Champions Trophy 2025. The Bengal pacer is a key asset in Test format for India and the selectors are likely to back youngsters in white-ball formats going forward.
 "Aashay Chopade")
