Champions Trophy: Grappling with Bumrah's absence, Team India bank on well-settled top six

Following a short nine-match ODI run after a heartbreaking loss to Australia in 2023 ODI World Cup final at home, Team India is heading into the ICC Champions Trophy with a lot of things settled and falling in place nicely, with perhaps the only glaring negative of Jasprit Bumrah being out due to injury poses a threat to the Men in Blue's run in another ICC tournament at a venue where they do not have the nicest memories.

- AGENCIES

The biggest match of the Champions Trophy between two arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, will be played on 23 February. India will start their campaign against Bangladesh on 20 February and their last league match will be against New Zealand on 2 March.

India ended their run of ODIs after a 3-0 clean sweep series win over England at home, with plenty of positives to be proud of and some serious issues to ponder on not only for Champions Trophy, but the long road ahead for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. India played nine ODIs following the Ahmedabad heartbreak. India managed to win two out of three series they participated in, losing one to Sri Lanka in a shocker last year.

However, a new-look Indian side won in South Africa under the captaincy of KL Rahul in 2023-end and a full-strength India completed a 3-0 whitewash against England at home, denying them a chance to put their 'Bazball' brand of cricket under new head coach Brendon McCullum on display.

Out of their nine matches, India managed to win five, lost three while one game ended in a tie. India's incredible ability to chase down totals has taken a small hit due to the Sri Lanka series, losing twice while chasing low totals, tying once and winning thrice.