IND vs PAK Champions Trophy 2025: Momentum with India but take Pakistan lightly at your own peril

India vs Pakistan is up next and both these sides have got off to contrasting starts in the tournament. It was a very comfortable first game for India. For me, the standout moment was Mohammed Shami’s spell. I’ve been a huge fan of his for years, and watching him bowl like that was incredible. 

In my opinion, Shami has the best seam position in the world. He has been a quality bowler for many years, and it’s clear that India has managed his comeback carefully. Seeing him take wickets and bowl with such precision will be a massive confidence boost for him as he progresses through the tournament.

I think it’s a huge positive that Shami stepped up and led the way in the first game, especially in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence. As for the rest of the bowling attack, I thought it was solid overall. However, I believe India will be expecting more from Kuldeep Yadav, who needs to be central to wicket-taking in middle overs to break partnerships, especially without Bumrah. 

A slight downside for me was the phase where India had Bangladesh at 35-5 after 8.3 overs but didn’t manage to take another wicket until the 42.4 mark. Even though that match ended in a win, it highlights a recurring issue for this Indian team—the middle overs, which I’ve discussed extensively in my articles before.

I’ve often emphasised the importance of impact bowlers and the ability to break stubborn partnerships, and that was exactly the issue here. India will be concerned about their inability to break that partnership in the middle overs. 

In the Pakistan clash, personally, I would go with Arshdeep Singh’s left-arm pace. I understand that Harshit Rana had a good game and picked up wickets—he’s doing a solid job. But for me, Arshdeep offers something different, a unique edge that could make a real difference.

On the batting front, things are looking quite promising. However, I’ll be stubborn on this—I believe KL Rahul should bat higher up the order. He can have a greater impact and dictate the tempo more effectively. That’s something India should still consider.

Another key takeaway was the pitch—it played quite slow. Looking ahead, with Pakistan’s pace attack, this could be an important factor for both teams to take into account. It might come down to taking pace off the ball, being smart with your bowling—those tactical adjustments will be crucial.

As for Pakistan, that was an underwhelming performance. They were up against a team they’ve faced frequently in New Zealand, a team that largely dominated the game. Now, Babar Azam has to step up and take the lead. He needs to be the frontman, rather than just playing a supporting role alongside Fakhar Zaman. At times, it feels like he’s been content to build partnerships quietly while Fakhar takes on the aggressive role, but now is the time for him to take charge.

With Fakhar now sidelined due to injury from the last game, Babar has no choice but to step up, take the reins, and play with greater aggression. He needs to be the leading force, the best player—which he undoubtedly is—and make a statement in this tournament. Now is the time for Babar to elevate his game and showcase his true class.

Babar will need to step up and deliver runs, no question about it. When selecting a batting lineup, the focus should be on assembling a team capable of scoring 350 or successfully chasing it down. That’s where Pakistan’s real concern lies. On a positive note, Salman Agha looks in good touch.

Salman Agha is a quality player in good form, but the real challenge now lies with the top order. Babar and his fellow batters need to step up, take control, and put opposition bowlers under pressure instead of letting the game dictate their approach. That was the most disappointing aspect of their last performance—Pakistan looked reactive rather than proactive. That’s a major concern. Additionally, I still believe they are one frontline spinner short.

But that’s just my personal take. I believe Shaheen holds the key, especially against Rohit and Shubman Gill. With his left-arm swing—some deliveries moving, others holding their line—he has the ability to unsettle India’s top order early. If he succeeds, he could expose India’s middle order and bring their all-rounders into play much sooner than they’d like.

That said, never discount Pakistan—you simply can’t. However, the momentum leading up to this game heavily favors India. They’ve been playing and preparing in familiar conditions, while Pakistan is now stepping out of home territory to compete in Dubai.