The wait is over. One of the prestigious ICC events, Champions Trophy is all set to take cricket fans by storm with the competition starting on June 1 in England. The hosts kick off the competition against Bangladesh on Thursday.
This tournament is extra special as the top eight teams will battle it out for the title. So one can imagine the level of cricket in the offing. Among the big teams, West Indies have missed out.
Defending champions India are always a strong team in the competition, and with a balanced bowling line-up and world-class batsmen in their squad, they have the ammunitions to cruise to the third title. India will open their campaign against Pakistan on Sunday.
India will have their task cut out in the competition, with teams like Australia, always good in ICC events, England, one of the hot favourites and a dangerous South African team, which can beat any team in the world, in the campaign.
All the nations will have to be on top of their game and strive for consistency. Yes, it is consistency, which will play an important role in helping the team go all the way in the Champions Trophy.
Make no mistakes, teams like Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh will give it all. No team can afford to take opponents lightly.
It could be anyone's game in England.
Here is look at the two groups in the league stage
Group A – England, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand
Group B – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa
| Date | Matches | Venue | Time | Match result* |
| June 1 | England v Bangladesh | Kennington Oval | 10:30 am BST (3pm IST) | Eng won by 8 wickets |
| June 2 | Australia v New Zealand | Edgbaston | 10:30 am BST (3pm IST) | N/R |
| June 3 | Sri Lanka v South Africa | Kennington Oval | 10:30 am BST (3pm IST) | South Africa won by 96 runs |
| June 4 | India v Pakistan | Edgbaston | 10:30 am BST (3pm IST) | India won by 124 runs |
| June 5 | Australia v Bangladesh | Kennington Oval | 1:30 pm BST (6pm IST) | N/R |
| June 6 | England v New Zealand | Sophia Gardens | 10:30 am BST (3pm IST) | Eng won by 67 runs |
| June 7 | Pakistan v South Africa | Edgbaston | 1:30 pm BST (6pm IST) | Pak won by 19 runs |
| June 8 | India v Sri Lanka | Kennington Oval | 10:30 am BST (3pm IST) | SL won by 7 wickets |
| June 9 | New Zealand v Bangladesh | Sophia Gardens | 10:30 am BST (3pm IST) | B'desh won by 5 wickets |
| June 10 | England v Australia | Edgbaston | 10:30 am BST (3pm IST) | Eng won by 40 runs |
| June 11 | India v South Africa | Kennington Oval | 10:30 am BST (3pm IST) | |
| June 12 | Sri Lanka v Pakistan | Sophia Gardens | 10:30 am BST (3pm IST) | |
| June 14 | SF - TBC v TBC | Sophia Gardens | 10:30 am BST (3pm IST) | |
| June 15 (15:00 IST) | SF - TBC v TBC | Edgbaston | 10:30 am BST (3pm IST) | |
| June 18 (15:00 IST) | FINAL - TBC v TBC | Kennington Oval | 10:30 am BST (3pm IST) |
*Match results will be updated at the end of matchday
TV listings: Indian subcontinent: Star Sports 1/HD, Hindi 1/HD. UK: Sky Sports. South Africa: SuperSport. Australia: Fox Sports. New Zealand: Sky Sports. Middle East: OSN Sports. USA: WIllow TV.
