[Exclusive] Monty Panesar predicts 2025 Champions Trophy semi-finalists

Former England cricketer Monty Panesar analysed India and England's ODI team ahead of the Champions Trophy in 2025. He believes that the Men in Blue heavily depend on their senior players - Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli - but the same cannot be said about England.

He noted that the Three Lions are comfortable without Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow and added that the youngsters that have come into the set-up in recent times have done a commendable job.Regardless, he feels that both India and England will qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy, which is slated to begin on February 19 in Karachi. Apart from that, Panesar picked Australia as one of the team which will certainly make it to the top four alongside hosts Pakistan. 

“England, India, Australia and Pakistan can play the semi-finals,” Panersar told exclusively to CricTracker during the ongoing Legends League Cricket.

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“England have a young squad. They have done well against Australia. They are not relying on former players. They are not depending on Joe Root, Ben Stokes or Jonny Bairstow. I am not sure if India can play like that - without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill. I don’t know if India can play at an elite level without them. On the contrary, whenever a youngster comes into the England set-up, they are doing well,” he added while analysing both the squads.

The hype works against India and they end up losing games: Monty Panesar

Panesar stated that India’s games are always very hyped and the players come under pressure because of the same. He also asserted that England are India’s strongest opponent and that the Jos Buttler-led side knows how to beat top teams. However, the 42-year-old believes that India will be performing better in ICC tournaments as they have finally broken the jinx with the T20 World Cup in 2024.

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“I think for India, England are the strongest opponent. England knows how to beat India. England has a better record against India in the semi-final or final of a competition. India are always under pressure and there’s so much hype. That hype works against India and they end up losing games. Now, India recently won the T20 World Cup, so maybe they will have the confidence to do well and maybe they have learned the art of winning games that are so much hyped. They have crossed the hurdle," he concluded.