ODI cricket scene ahead of CT 2025; Are teams going to get enough preparation?

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Do Teams play sufficient amount of ODIs ahead of the marquee event in February? Let’s deep dive into the schedule of every nation.

As many speculated, the growth of franchise leagues around the globe has squeezed the two longer formats. Regarding the World Test Championship (WTC), the teams are guaranteed to play at least six red-ball series of at least two games over the two years. However, there is no such restriction on One-Day Internationals (ODIs). 

The second most prestigious event in the 50-over format after the World Cup is the Champions Trophy. The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, expected to begin in the third week of February in Pakistan, is knocking on the door. But the question stands whether all the teams are playing enough games as practice for the event. 

England and South Africa enjoying the best preparations

Over 30 games in the longest format are scheduled between August 7 and the 2025 Champions Trophy. The dates of a few series are yet to come out. In the same period, despite the tournament, around 35 ODI games will take place, a few of which are yet to be finalised. 

India lost their three-match series in Sri Lanka by a 2-0 margin. The only series for them in the format before CT 2025 will be in February, against England at home. They won’t get the luxury of framing different combinations and going through different game plans. Bangladesh and Afghanistan will have the same headache. 

On the other hand, South Africa and England will be playing nearly 11 games in the format. The former will be taking on Afghanistan and Ireland in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). That will provide them a great chance of understanding the slow spinning conditions. The same goes for rich England, who can apply a few different strategies. 

Australia and Pakistan will also have the comfort of different preparations. The latter has arranged a tri-series too at the eleventh hour to get a blueprint of their 50-over side. 

Read More: With India not likely to travel to Pakistan for CT 2025, what are ICC’s options?

A present overview of team’s ODI schedule before CT 2025

*** New Zealand are expected to play a three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka, whose dates are yet to be published. 

Bumper Test season hindering ODI preparation 

One of the reasons for this lack of preparation for a few teams has been the huge number of Tests they will be playing. India will host Bangladesh for a two-match series before facing New Zealand in three red-ball games. The gap between these two series is only three days.

Later, the Rohit Sharma-led side will be flying to Australia for five Tests in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Besides those games, they will also play two practice games as their trip will cover nearly 50 days. 

A couple of franchise leagues like SA20 and BBL always squeeze up nearly 40 to 50 days from the calendar. Even though England are playing 11 ODIs, they may not get a few players available. Just seven days after Jos Buttler’s team takes on Australia in an ODI, Ben Stokes’ team will start their Test series in Pakistan. 

The difference between the end of that series and the start of their ODI series in the West Indies is just three days. Therefore, the sides won’t have the benefit of applying themselves the most in the 50-over games. 

The way forward for teams 

Due to not getting many games as preparation, the teams need to be crystal clear with their strategies. A few sides will need to develop their skills according to the slow and low-pitch conditions of Asia. They need to get the proper balance as early as they can. 

Limited ODIs will offer a clear mindset to the teams. Before the Champions Trophy, they will have to perform at their best in every single game of the format. Before selecting their best 15 for the tournament, all eight nations need to get their basics right. 

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