Champions Trophy 2025: 'All Games Are Important' - Gautam Gambhir Downplays India vs Pakistan Match Hype

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Head coach Gautam Gambhir has downplayed the hype around the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, saying all games are important in the eight-team ICC event, scheduled to start on February 19.

India-Pakistan clash always garners more attention due to rivaly between the two nations. This year the heat will be even more high after India opted against travelling to Pakistan, forcing the tournament to be hosted in hybrid model with all of the Men in Blue's games to be played in UAE.

All eyes will be on Dubai on February 23, when India takes on Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in a match that could be pivotal to both teams' chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions Trophy.

While Gambhir acknowledged the emotional attachment associated with matches between India and Pakistan and the importance of the matchup, the head coach believes the clash in Dubai is just one step in India's journey towards winning a third Champions Trophy title.

"Look, we do not go to the Champions Trophy thinking that the 23rd is the most important game for us. I think five games, all the games are important," Gambhir told Star Sports at the annual Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) awards night in Mumbai on Saturday (February 1) as quoted by ICC.

"The mission to go to Dubai is to win the Champions Trophy, not only win one particular game. But yes, if that is one game in the middle of winning the Champions Trophy, we are going to try and take it as seriously as possible.

"And more importantly, I think when two countries, India and Pakistan, play against each other, obviously the emotions are really high, but ultimately the contest remains the same," he further added.

Before India face Pakistan, Rohit Sharma's side will take on another Asian rival in Bangladesh in their tournament opener on February 20. The Men in Blue will then conclude their Group A round of fixtures with a clash against New Zealand on March 2. All of India's matches will be played in Dubai.

The top two teams from the group will then join the winners and runner up from Group B that consists of Australia, South Africa, England and Afghanistan in the semi-finals, which is scheduled to be staged on March 4 and 5 before the title clash on March 9 concludes the Champions Trophy.