Team India's preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 got off to a horrendous start as they suffered a 0-2 series defeat on Sri Lankan soil. Indian batters failed the spin challenge and crumbled under pressure in three consecutive run chases. But former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik isn’t too concerned about the series loss and predicts that after a few changes, the Rohit Sharma-led side will be a ‘different beast’ ahead of Champions Trophy 2025.
"Hello, DK. What do the youngsters need to do so that the team is ready for Champions Trophy and next ODI World Cup?" a fan asked Karthik on Cricbuzz’s "Hey CB with DK" show.
"Well, let's start with Champions Trophy. For a start, there's a lot of Test matches from here on. So we will see plenty of changes by the time the next series comes around, which is against England next year. So there is time for that," Dinesh Karthik replied.
"I'm very confident. We'll see a slightly different unit than just what played in Sri Lanka. There will be a few changes. But I can tell you, India is getting to that place where, when they come for the big events, they're a different beast altogether. There are other teams that will be like, wow, this Indian team, we know the skill and talent," he added.
No ODI series for rest of 2024
Indian team will not play any more ODIs in 2024. They will face Bangladesh in the two-Test series and three-T20I series at home followed by three Tests against New Zealand. Then, they will play a four-T20I series in South Africa. After facing the Proteas, Indian team will head to Australia for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Next ODI series six months away
India's first ODI series of year 2025 will be against England at home. This will work as dress rehearsal for the Champions Trophy 2025. As per Karthik, it will be a different unit as seen against Sri Lanka. It is yet to be seen whether India will play their Champions Trophy games on Pakistan soil or at a neutral venue.
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