Champions Trophy title more important than India-Pakistan match, says Gautam Gambhir

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has emphasized that his team’s primary goal at the upcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy is to win the tournament, not just a single match, even if it is against arch-rivals Pakistan. India and Pakistan will face off in a high-stakes group-stage match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23, but Gambhir insists that every game in the tournament holds equal importance.

Speaking at the annual BCCI Awards in Mumbai, Gambhir made it clear that India’s focus is on the bigger picture. “Look, we do not go to the Champions Trophy thinking that the 23rd is the most important game for us. All five games are equally important,” he told Star Sports. “The mission to go to Dubai is to win the Champions Trophy, not just one particular game. But yes, if that game is part of our journey to winning the tournament, we will take it as seriously as possible.”

With just eight teams competing, the Champions Trophy offers little room for error. India and Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh and New Zealand, with only two teams advancing to the knockout stages. Gambhir highlighted the high-stakes nature of the event compared to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. “The Champions Trophy is a completely different challenge compared to the 50-over World Cup because literally every game is a make-or-break. You cannot afford to slow down in this tournament,” he explained. “Hopefully, we are going to start well because if you want to win the competition, you have to win five games.”

India has announced a strong 15-player squad, featuring experienced names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja. The squad also includes young talents such as Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Arshdeep Singh. Gambhir expressed confidence in his team and stressed that contributions from every player will be crucial for success.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are among the three surviving members from India’s 2013 Champions Trophy-winning squad, and Gambhir believes they will play a vital role once again. “Both Rohit and Virat bring immense value to the dressing room and Indian cricket as a whole. They have to play a massive role in this tournament,” he said. “They are still hungry to perform, and their passion to deliver for the country is unmatched.”

India’s Champions Trophy campaign will begin on February 19, with the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on February 23 expected to be a key moment in the tournament. However, Gambhir remains firm that the ultimate goal is lifting the trophy, not just winning a single match.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.

India’s Group Stage Fixtures:

• February 20 – India vs Bangladesh, Dubai
• February 23 – India vs Pakistan, Dubai
• March 2 – India vs New Zealand, Dubai.