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What If India And Pakistan Played Together In The Champions Trophy 2025?

Virat Kohli and Babar Azam during T20 World Cup 2021 [X]Virat Kohli and Babar Azam during T20 World Cup 2021 [X]

India vs Pakistan is considered one of the fiercest rivalries in international cricket. Coincidentally, both nations have Independence Days on consecutive dates (14th and 15th August). 

As far as cricket is concerned, both the nations have produced some greats. Even in modern times, the two nations boast of some of the best players in contemporary world. 

But have you ever wondered, what if the nations were never divided? What If India and Pakistan played the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 as a single nation?

Let us take a look at what the strongest playing XI could have been - 

Openers - Rohit Sharma (c) and Fakhar Zaman

Rohit Sharma and Fakhar Zaman [X]Rohit Sharma and Fakhar Zaman [X]

The best opening duo for a such a playing XI will be Rohit Sharma and Fakhar Zaman. These two batters will bring in the right-hand/left-hand combination into the game. The dynamism and the way these two would compliment each other will add extra spice and flexibility to the team's top order.

Middle Order - Virat Kohli, Babar Azam and Md. Rizwan (vc and wk)

There could be no better number three for this XI than Virat Kohli. He is the best in this trade and will be the perfect fulcrum in the top order of the team. 

Babar Azam and Md. Rizwan playing together will add solidity to the middle-order. Both these batters have had plenty of partnerships together and could play a crucial role in building the innings of the team. 

All-rounders - Hardik Pandya and Shadab Khan

Hardik Pandya and Shadab Khan [X]Hardik Pandya and Shadab Khan [X]

The presence of Hardik Pandya and Shadab Khan will add the perfect flexibility and dynamism to the team. While Pandya will add depth to the pace department, Shadab will play the role of one of the prime spinners with the ball. Besides, both these players are able batters and could make valuable contributions in times of need. 

Pacers - Shaheen Afridi, Jasprit Bumrah and Md. Shami

Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Afridi [X]Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Afridi [X]

The trio of Shaheen Afridi, Jasprit Bumrah and Md. Shami can strike fear in any batting line up. While Shaheen could have been lethal with the new ball, Jasprit Bumrah would have found his greatest use in the death overs. The skipper could have used Md. Shami in the middle-overs, while rotating the other two around him.


Spinner - Kuldeep Yadav

The left-arm wrist spinner is currently having a great time with the ball. Kuldeep Yadav has the rhythm and form going and would have been a trump card for this XI, especially in the middle-overs.

12th Man - Iftikhar Ahmed

The presence of Iftikhar Ahmed in the squad would allow the management the extra bit of flexibility to tinker with the composition depending on the playing conditions.


India - Pakistan Combined XI for Champions Trophy 2025

Rohit Sharma (c) 🇮🇳
Fakhar Zaman 🇵🇰
Virat Kohli 🇮🇳
Babar Azam 🇵🇰
Md. Rizwan (vc and wk) 🇵🇰
Hardik Pandya 🇮🇳
Shadab Khan 🇵🇰
Shaheen Afridi 🇵🇰
Jasprit Bumrah 🇮🇳
Md. Shami 🇮🇳
Kuldeep Yadav 🇮🇳

12th Man - Iftikhar Ahmed 🇵🇰