Five Rising Stars to Watch in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin in Pakistan and Dubai, bringing together the best cricketing talents from around the world. While established players will dominate headlines, several young and underrated stars are ready to make a mark. Here are five rising players who could shine on the world stage.

• Will O’Rourke’s pace could trouble batters on bouncy wickets.
• Varun Chakravarthy’s spin might dominate in Dubai’s conditions.
• Tayyab Tahir’s middle-order stability could be vital for Pakistan.
• Tom Banton’s aggressive batting adds firepower to England.
• Aaron Hardie’s all-round skills bring balance to Australia’s squad.

Will O’Rourke (New Zealand) – The Speed Sensation

Standing tall at 1.93 meters (6 feet 4 inches), Will O’Rourke is an emerging fast bowler who has already shown his ability in international cricket. He made his ODI debut in 2023 and gained recognition after a stellar performance in his opening Test match against South Africa, where he took nine wickets.

• Recently, he delivered a match-winning spell of 4-43 against Pakistan in the tri-series final in Karachi.
• With key pacers like Ben Sears injured and Lockie Ferguson recovering, O’Rourke will lead New Zealand’s pace attack alongside Matt Henry.
• His raw pace and bounce make him a dangerous weapon in Pakistan’s conditions.

Varun Chakravarthy (India) – The Mystery Spinner

India’s spin attack gets a boost with Varun Chakravarthy, a wrist spinner who made his ODI debut in February 2025 after an impressive T20 series against England.

• The 33-year-old is known for his mystery spin and was instrumental in Kolkata Knight Riders’ title-winning campaign, taking 21 wickets.
• He has proven himself in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and brings valuable experience to India’s spin-heavy squad.
• Coach Gautam Gambhir believes Chakravarthy provides the much-needed “X factor” for India on the slow wickets of Dubai.

Tayyab Tahir (Pakistan) – The Middle-Order Maestro

Tayyab Tahir, a 31-year-old middle-order batsman, is one of Pakistan’s most promising emerging talents.

• He rose to fame in the 2023 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, where his brilliant century helped Pakistan defeat India in the final.
• Although his ODI record is modest, he has impressed in Pakistan Super League (PSL), earning praise from Wasim Akram as a “very exciting talent.”
• With Pakistan’s middle order looking for stability, Tahir has a golden chance to showcase his talent on home soil.

Tom Banton (England) – The Explosive Batter

England’s Tom Banton is a dynamic top-order batter who recently returned to ODI cricket and impressed against India.

• The 26-year-old played his first ODI since 2020 and scored a 38-run knock, showing glimpses of his explosive ability.
• He is the leading run-scorer in the United Arab Emirates’ T20 League, with 493 runs including two centuries.
• His aggressive stroke play, including his spectacular switch hit six, makes him a key player in England’s campaign.

Aaron Hardie (Australia) – The All-Rounder to Watch

With the sudden retirement of Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie has an opportunity to establish himself as Australia’s leading seam-bowling all-rounder.

• Hardie, 26, made an impact against Sri Lanka, taking 2-13 with the ball and scoring 32 runs.
• In 2018, he gained attention by dismissing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in a tour game and scoring 86 runs.
• He is still searching for a breakout ODI performance but has the skills to make an impact in Pakistan’s conditions.

Why These Players Matter in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The Champions Trophy is one of the most prestigious tournaments in world cricket. It has been a stage where new stars emerge and shape the future of the sport. These five players have shown glimpses of their potential, and this tournament could be their moment to shine.

With the Champions Trophy 2025 just around the corner, these rising stars are ready to make headlines. Watch out for their performances as they take on the world’s best!

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Matches

Pakistan vs New Zealand - 1st Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs India - 2nd Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs South Africa - 3rd Match, Group B | Australia vs England - 4th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs India - 5th Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs New Zealand - 6th Match, Group A | Australia vs South Africa - 7th Match, Group B | Afghanistan vs England - 8th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs Bangladesh - 9th Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs Australia - 10th Match, Group B | England vs South Africa - 11th Match, Group B | New Zealand vs India - 12th Match, Group A | TBA vs TBA, 1st Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, 2nd Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, Final |

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Teams

PAKISTAN | NEW ZEALAND | BANGLADESH | INDIA | AFGHANISTAN | SOUTH AFRICA | AUSTRALIA | ENGLAND