The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. As one of the biggest ICC tournaments, leadership will play a crucial role in determining the fate of teams. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 team captains list includes some experienced names and a few new faces who will aim to lead their teams to glory.
In this article, we provide the complete ICC Champions Trophy 2025 team captains list, analyze their captaincy records, and discuss how they can impact their team’s performance in the tournament.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Overview
- Event: ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- Host: Pakistan
- Start Date: February 19, 2025
- Opening Match: Pakistan vs. New Zealand
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Team Captains List & Leadership Records
Here is the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 team captains list, along with their ODI leadership stats and achievements.
| Team | Captain | Matches as Captain | Wins | Losses | Win % | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇫 Afghanistan | Hashmatullah Shahidi | 46 | 23 | 21 | 50.0% | Leading Afghanistan in Champions Trophy for the first time |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | Najmul Hossain Shanto | 11 | 4 | 7 | 36.36% | Yet to prove himself in ICC tournaments |
| 🏴 England | Jos Buttler | 41 | 18 | 22 | 43.9% | Key player in England’s 2019 World Cup win |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | Mohammad Rizwan | 11 | 8 | 3 | 72.7% | First ICC event as Pakistan’s captain, strong home advantage |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | Mitchell Santner | Few Matches | – | – | – | Relatively inexperienced as ODI captain |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | Temba Bavuma | 40 | 21 | 19 | 52.5% | Led SA to strong ODI performances in recent years |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Steve Smith | 60 | 31 | 29 | 51.7% | Experienced leader, replacing injured Pat Cummins |
| 🇮🇳 India | Rohit Sharma | 37 | 27 | 10 | 73.0% | Led India to Asia Cup win, experienced ICC captain |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Team Captains List – Full Analysis & Records: Strengths & Weaknesses of Each Captain
1️⃣ Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan 🇦🇫)
Strengths:
- Calm and composed leader, helps maintain stability in the team.
- Afghanistan’s ODI performance has improved under his leadership.
- Strong batting lineup with power hitters like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran.
Weaknesses:
- Lacks experience in high-pressure ICC tournaments.
- Afghanistan’s bowling over-reliant on Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
- Struggles against top-tier teams in crunch matches.
2️⃣ Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh 🇧🇩)
Strengths:
- Young and energetic leader with a long future ahead.
- Strong middle-order batter, can anchor the innings when needed.
- Bangladesh has a solid all-round unit with players like Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Weaknesses:
- Poor ODI win percentage (36.36%), struggles against top teams.
- Inconsistent Bangladesh squad, lacks match-winning fast bowlers.
- Yet to prove himself in an ICC knockout game as a captain.
3️⃣ Jos Buttler (England 🏴)
Strengths:
- One of the most destructive white-ball batters, capable of game-changing innings.
- A T20 World Cup-winning captain, knows how to handle ICC tournaments.
- England’s aggressive “Bazball-style” approach could be a game-changer.
Weaknesses:
- Poor ODI captaincy record (43.9% win rate), England has been inconsistent under him.
- England’s ODI team is aging, with many senior players struggling for form.
- Bowlers lack consistency in Asian conditions, which could be a problem in Pakistan.
4️⃣ Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan 🇵🇰)
Strengths:
- 72.7% win rate as captain, showing promising leadership skills.
- Home conditions in Pakistan give him a big tactical advantage.
- Pakistan has a top-class pace attack with Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah.
Weaknesses:
- First major ICC event as captain, handling pressure will be a challenge.
- Middle-order inconsistency has been Pakistan’s weak link in ODIs.
- Can he match Babar Azam’s leadership standards and take Pakistan to the final?
5️⃣ Mitchell Santner (New Zealand 🇳🇿)
Strengths:
- A calm and strategic thinker, ideal for leading New Zealand’s team.
- Strong bowling all-rounder, contributes with both bat and ball.
- New Zealand is known for punching above their weight in ICC events.
Weaknesses:
- Very limited experience as an ODI captain, might struggle tactically.
- The absence of Kane Williamson’s leadership could hurt the team’s stability.
- New Zealand’s fast bowling attack lacks depth, which may be exposed in subcontinent conditions.
6️⃣ Temba Bavuma (South Africa 🇿🇦)
Strengths:
- Has led South Africa to a respectable 52.5% win rate in ODIs.
- A gritty batter who anchors the innings when needed.
- South Africa has a fearsome pace attack with Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Marco Jansen.
Weaknesses:
- South Africa’s history of choking in ICC knockout matches is a concern.
- Bavuma himself has been inconsistent with the bat in ODIs.
- Injuries have weakened the squad, affecting team balance.
7️⃣ Steve Smith (Australia 🇦🇺)
Strengths:
- One of the most experienced captains, has led Australia in 60 ODIs.
- Australia has a habit of performing exceptionally well in ICC tournaments.
- A master tactician who reads the game well under pressure.
Weaknesses:
- Replacing Pat Cummins as captain—will he be able to match his leadership impact?
- Australia’s batting form has been inconsistent in ODIs.
- The team’s spin attack is weaker compared to subcontinent teams like India and Pakistan.
8️⃣ Rohit Sharma (India 🇮🇳)
Strengths:
- Best win percentage (73%) among all captains in the tournament.
- Extremely experienced in ICC tournaments, having led India to an Asia Cup win.
- India’s squad is one of the strongest, featuring Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.
Weaknesses:
- Needs to prove himself by winning a major ICC trophy as captain.
- Middle-order uncertainty – India has struggled to find a settled No. 4 and 5.
- Over-reliance on Jasprit Bumrah in the bowling attack—lack of a quality backup pacer.
Read More : ICC Champions Trophy 2025 India Squad: Key Players and Surprising Changes
Final Verdict: Which Team Has the Strongest Captain?
Based on leadership experience, squad strength, and past records, here’s how the top captains rank:
🏆 1. Rohit Sharma (India) – Best win percentage (73%), strong squad.
🥈 2. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) – High win rate, home advantage.
🥉 3. Steve Smith (Australia) – A proven captain, can handle pressure well.
Wildcard Picks:
- Temba Bavuma (South Africa) – If South Africa plays fearlessly, they can be dangerous.
- Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) – If he steps up as captain, NZ could surprise everyone.
Who is the Best Captain in ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
Based on captaincy records, team strengths, and leadership experience, here are the top captains in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 team captains list:
Rohit Sharma (India)
- Best win percentage (73%).
- Strong squad, proven match-winner.
- Verdict: India’s strongest chance for a Champions Trophy win.
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
- 72.7% win rate and home advantage.
- First ICC event as captain—can he handle the pressure?
- Verdict: A strong contender if Pakistan performs well at home.
Steve Smith (Australia)
- Experienced captain, has led Australia in 60 ODIs.
- Verdict: Can lead Australia deep into the tournament.
Dark Horses:
- Temba Bavuma (South Africa) – If South Africa plays as a unit, they can challenge.
- Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) – If he rises to the occasion, the Kiwis can surprise.
Final Thoughts: Who Will Win ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
With experienced captains like Rohit Sharma, Steve Smith, and Mohammad Rizwan, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be a thrilling contest of leadership and skill.
Who do you think is the best captain in ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
