Champions Trophy 2025: India may play One Warm-Up Match, Bangladesh or UAE likely opponents - Report

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As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, Team India is ramping up its preparations for the tournament, which kicks off on February 19.

In the lead-up to the event, India is scheduled to play a warm-up match in Dubai, but the opponent for this crucial game is yet to be officially confirmed.

The Champions Trophy 2025 is being hosted by Pakistan, but due to political tensions between India and Pakistan, the Indian team was not granted government clearance to travel to Pakistan. As a result, under a hybrid hosting model, India's matches will be held in Dubai.

As flying any other team down to Dubai will have logistical burdens, India's options of playing a warmup match is limited.

Who will India play in Champions Trophy 2025 Warm Up Match?

According to Dainik Jagran, the warm-up game will likely be held at the Dubai International Stadium, where all of India's tournament matches will take place under a hybrid hosting arrangement. India is poised to play either Bangladesh or UAE in a warm-up match.

Given that Bangladesh is in the same group as India for the Champions Trophy, they emerge as a probable opponent for the warm-up game. Both teams will already be in Dubai for the tournament, making it logistically convenient. However, if an agreement with Bangladesh cannot be finalized, India might play against the UAE.

While the UAE is not participating in the Champions Trophy, they are available for a one-off warm-up match, providing India with a chance to fine-tune their game plan ahead of the tournament.

Before heading to Dubai, Team India will face England in a home ODI series starting February 6, which will serve as a key part of their preparation. Despite the absence of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah due to injury, India is expected to field a full-strength squad in the tournament. India's first match of the tournament is against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by Pakistan (Feb 23) and New Zealand (Mar 2).