Who Will Win the ICC Champions Trophy 2017?

Are you ready, India? Are you really, REALLY READY? The ICC Champions Trophy 2017 is all set to get started in England this Thursday, on June 1st. It is going to be one heck of a tournament; perhaps the most closely contested one we have had for many, many years.

There are four teams that look very good, good enough to win – India, South Africa, Australia and England. There is not much to choose between these teams, they are all composed of champion players.

Then there are the four challengers, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand, each of whom is capable of springing a real surprise. If we are being honest, we have no way of telling for certain as to who is going to win this one. Anything is possible, any team could win.

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This is a 50-over tournament, which is much different from the IPL matches we have brought to you this season. IPL was more of a slam and bang tournament, with just 20 overs a side. Even the most mediocre players had their day out in the sun in the IPL – imagine Sunil Narine making a 50 off 15 balls!

That’s not going to happen in the ICC Champions Trophy. Here only the cream will rise to the top. It is going to be a closely contested affair and the four champion teams – India, South Africa, Australia and England know that they have a fight on their hands. India are the reigning ICC champions and they would want to win dearly, as though their life depends on it.

Speaking of which, one must remember that cricket is only a sport. This tournament comes in wake of the recent terror attack in Manchester when 22 young people were killed by a suicide bomber at a rock concert. That is as tragic as it gets. So the players and the fans are likely to be in a somber mood and there isn’t going to be the sort jubilation that one normally associates with sporting events.

But life goes on and players and fans will give it their all and have fun.  England players said that they were coping well with the tragedy and were looking forward to the ICC tournament getting started, so that they could bring some cheer to the country.

This is a time of great political activity in the UK. The British General Elections are just five weeks away, so it is possible that the press will have other things to get obsessed about than just cricket. But on the plus side, the football season is finally over and so the sports loving public can turn their attention to England’s second favorite sport, cricket.

England

England have a very good chance of winning this tournament. The last time they were involved in a tournament like this, the 2015 World Cup in Australia, they were beaten really badly and had to exit without making it beyond the group stages. This time they have a much stronger outfit and in Eoin Morgan a really good captain, someone who plays to win.

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England have never won a major 50-over tournament before, so this could well be the chance they were looking for. They have a terrific batting line-up, and bat very deep. They have an ideal seam bowling attack for these conditions and a number of all-rounders to choose from. Ben Stokes, of course, is critical to their fortunes.

India

India are the defending champions of the ICC Champions Trophy and are determined to win it again. They have had a terrific Test season, having ended up as the #1 Test team in the world after beating Australia, England, New Zealand and Bangladesh. Could they carry on their great form in the one-day format?

Well, they should, unless they have played too much cricket and are tired because of that. Indian players are just coming off a major IPL tournament which ran for 2 months, and was covered by us on this blog.

Making the transition from IPL to 50-over cricket should not be too difficult. India do have a great team for this. They have some of the best batsmen in the world led by Captain Virat Kohli and a great bowling attack, which is well balanced with excellent fast bowlers and spin bowlers with a plenty of all-rounders to choose from.

Australia

Could Australia win? Why not – they are the same team that won the World Cup in 2015 with just a few changes. Steven Smith is a great batsman and a terrific leader. He wants to win desperately, not just for pride, but because it is going to improve his position in the pay dispute against the Australian Cricket Board.

South Africa

South Africa have never won a major cricket tournament and have never quite managed to take off the tag of being “chokers” at the highest stage. They do have a talented team with an excellent bowling attacking, led by the young Kagiso Rabada. Imran Tahir is right now the best spin bowler in limited overs cricket, and of course, there is AB de Villiers. They really have to win to salvage some reputation.

 New Zealand

New Zealand are the dark horses of this tournament. They have many talented cricketers in their team and on their day can beat anyone. They may not win, but they present a threat to any of the other top sides.

Pakistan

Pakistan are ranked #8 in this tournament, but ranking does not matter. They are a mercurial outfit who can be very good or very bad. They have an excellent pace attack in Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz who can trouble anyone.

 Sri Lanka and Bangladesh

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are expected to compete, but we don’t expect them to do much in English conditions. They are the weakest teams in the ICC Champions Trophy.

 No matter who wins or loses, we will be bringing you all the action from the ICC Champions Trophy, including all match previews and match reports of all important matches, including those that involve India. Stay tuned, it’s going to be a hell of a ride!

 

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