The Champions Trophy begins on Wednesday with a match between the host team and New Zealand in the Pakistani city of Karachi.
In this mega event, where big stars are ready to hit the stars, the five leading players are determined to make a name for themselves in the 50 -overs tournament.
1. Varun Chakraborty (India)
Varun Chakraborty, who was late in the Indian squad for the tournament, can be beneficial for the bowling lineup on Dubai’s expected slow wickets.
33 -year -old Chakraborty debuted his ODI in the series against England this month, where he played a vital role in India’s win by taking 14 wickets.
India’s Varun Chakraborty on January 25, 2025, throwing the ball during the second T20 match between India and England in Chennai (AFP)
The Chakraborty was also prominent in the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament and played a key role in the Kolkata Knight Riders title victory last year.
Chakraborty is part of India’s strong spin attack and coach Gautam Gambhir says he can provide the team with ‘X Factor’.
2. Taib Tahir (Pakistan)
Middle -order batsman Taib Tahir emerged as an emerging star for Pakistan in the Emerging Teams Asia Cup of 2023 when he made a brilliant century against India in the final.
The 31 -year -old Tahir also performed well in domestic cricket and debuted his ODI last year after representing Pakistan in a few T20 matches.
Pakistan’s Taib Tahir played on February 14, 2025, playing shot during the final ODI match of the trilateral series between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi (AFP)
His overall performance in whiteball cricket has been average and his T20 score was 39.
However, he has received a lot of support from cricket experts and fast bowling legend Wasim Akram called him a ‘tremendous talent’ after his aggressive batting in the Pakistan Super League.
3. Tom Benton (England)
Summer Banton, a batsman from Samarset, participated in the last ODI of this month for England in India and showed his abilities by playing 38 runs, though his team lost the match.
26 -year -old Benton came to Ahmedabad to bat at number three and was added to the England Champions Trophy squad instead of injured Jacob Bethal.
England’s Tom Benton on January 30, 2022, while fielding during the fifth and final T20 match between the West Indies and England at Barbados’ Kensington Oval (AFP)
It was his seventh ODI and the first after August 2020, in which he faced the Indian sniper and hit the point through a brilliant switch hit against Washington Sunder.
Banton T20 is in a fantastic form in franchise cricket and is the highest scorer in the Premier League of the United Arab Emirates, where he scored 493 runs in 11 innings, including two centuries.
4. Aaron Hardy (Australia)
Semmer all -rounder Aaron Hardy joined the team after a sudden retirement of the Marcus Stowns before the Champions Trophy.
Aaron Hardy of Australia is going for Bowling during the second and final ODI between Sri Lanka and Australia on February 14, 2025 at Colomado’s RR Premadasa International Cricket Stadium (AFP)
26 -year -old right -handed fast bowler and batsman Hardy recently showed all rounds in a one -day match against Sri Lanka, but Australia lost the match.
In 2018, he surprised everyone by dismissing Cricket Australia XI in a tour match and scored 86 runs in the batting.
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Hardy debuted whiteball cricket for Australia in 2023, but so far he has not been able to show any performance that can be replaced by the team.
5. Will O Rock (Noziland)
Fast bowler Will O’Rek, six feet four inches tall, performed brilliantly in nine ODIs and is ready to participate in his first ICC tournament.
The 23 -year -old O -Rurd made ODIs in 2023, but his real identity was made in his home Test match last year when he took nine wickets against South Africa.
New Zealand’s Will and Rourk throwing the ball during the first ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Wellington’s Basin Reserve on January 5, 2025 (AFP)
He recently played a key role in New Zealand’s win by performing brilliantly with four wickets in the trilateral series against Pakistan in Karachi, which will be the hosted of the opening match of the Champions Trophy where Pakistan and New Zealand will once again compete.
New Zealand will have to rely on the absence of fast bowler Ben Sears and the release of Locky Ferguson’s injury and rely on Rork and senior pacer Matt Henry.
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