Champions Trophy 2025: There are only two days left for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to begin. While the teams are focused on strengthening their batting lineup, the role of bowlers cannot be denied.
Champions Trophy 2025: Kuldeep Yadav
Champions Trophy 2025: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is going to start from Wednesday, February 19. The 8 best teams in the world are ready to gear up. The teams are busy choosing their brilliant playing XI. In this big tournament, all the focus will be on the batsmen, but the teams that win the tournament will be those who have a more effective bowling unit. India has suffered a major setback in the form of Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah is out of this big tournament due to injury. Now all the responsibility will be on Mohammed Shami. We are discussing 5 such bowlers who can make a big impact in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)
Shaheen Shah Afridi is the highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket since 2023 and has taken 62 wickets in just 29 matches at an average of 22.7 and a strike rate of 24.3. Shaheen has a great record against both right-handed and left-handed batsmen, his average is just over 23. He is a wicket-taker in the powerplay with an economy of just 5 and in the death overs. Shaheen has taken 49 wickets in 10 overs of the death overs at an average of 15.4 and a strike rate of 12.5. Shaheen will be a big threat in home conditions where he has taken 31 wickets in just 16 matches.
Kuldeep Yadav (India)
Kuldeep Yadav will prove to be the X-factor for India in bowling. He is the leading wicket-taker in ODI cricket since 2023, taking 55 wickets in 34 innings at an average of 21.76, a strike rate of 28.9 and an economy of 4.51. Kuldeep has a great record in the middle overs, but his bowling in the death overs is even more commendable. The Chinaman has taken 29 wickets in the last 10 overs at an average of 18.1 and an economy of just 6.2.
Matt Henry (New Zealand)
Matt Henry has been New Zealand's best fast bowler since 2023, taking 39 wickets in 22 matches at an average of 24.9. His wicket-taking ability has emerged in his 85-match career, where he has already taken 155 wickets at an impressive strike rate of 29.3. His accuracy makes him a deadly bowler, especially with the new ball. Henry has a great record in the first 10 overs of the power play, taking 69 wickets at an average of 22.5 and an economy of just 4.3. Henry has started 2025 brilliantly and has taken 14 wickets in five innings at an average of 14.6 and a strike rate of 19.2, including taking four wickets twice.
Adam Zampa (Australia)
In the absence of the fast bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, all eyes will be on Adam Zampa. Zampa is the leading wicket-taker in ODIs for Australia since 2023, taking 53 wickets in 31 matches at a strike rate of 29.1. He has taken four wickets on five occasions during this period. Zampa was in exceptional form with the ball in the 2023 World Cup in India and was the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 23 wickets in just 11 matches at an average of 22.39 and an economy of 5.36. He played a key role in Australia's historic win.
Adil Rashid (England)
Adil Rashid will hold the key to England's bowling in the tournament and he brings with him a vast experience of 146 ODIs in which he has taken 212 wickets at a strike rate of 34.6. The leg-spinner is the third-highest wicket-taker in England's ODI history after James Anderson and Darren Gough. Rashid was the only shining star in England's recent 3-0 defeat against India and took 7 wickets at an average of 27. Rashid varied his pace and troubled the Indian batsmen with his turn. Rashid's stock delivery is the googly which has earned him 64 wickets at an average of 16.2, economy of 4.9 and a strike rate of 19.7.
