ICC Champions Trophy 2025: A Closer Look at the Captains of All Eight Teams

Cricket fans around the world are eagerly looking forward to the start of the 2025 ICC Championship Trophy, a prestigious match that brings the highest international (ODI) teams together for an exciting battle of supremacy. After a long break, the game will have a huge comeback, promising high-intensity competition, fierce competition and unforgettable moments. The ICC Championship Trophy 2025, hosted by Pakistan, will be a key test for the team as they aim to prove their determination on the global stage.

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At the heart of every successful match is strong leadership, and in high-stakes games like the Champions Trophy, the captain’s role becomes even more important. The captain is not only a leader in the field, but also a strategist, inspiring and decision makers who can turn the tide of the game with a tactical glory and calming situation under pressure. The 2025 tournament will see some of the best cricket, each bringing a unique leadership style and extensive experience to guide their teams to victory.

As the game gets closer, cricket enthusiasts are eager to analyze the captains who will lead their respective countries. From their ability to inspire teammates at critical moments to tactical acumen, we will see how these leaders shape the fate of the team in games in the coveted trophy this season.

Read | ICC Champions Trophy 2025 FAQ: Schedule, Venue, Squad, Game Time, Live, Host, Tickets, Format, Format and Bonus Details

ICC Championship Trophy Captain 2025

This is the entire captain lineup that leads eight teams to participate in the ICC Championship Trophy 2025. These leaders, each bringing their own unique captain style, will play a crucial role in shaping their performance in this senior tournament.

team leader

team

ODI Matching

ODI run

Hashmatullah Shahidi

Afghanistan

87

2375

Steve Smith

Australia

167

5703

Nazmul Hossain Shanto

Bangladesh

47

1488

Jos Buttler

England

184

5114

Rohit Sharma

India

268

10988

Mitchell Santner

New Zealand

113

1400

Mohammad Rizwan

Pakistan

86

2523

Temba Bavuma

South Africa

46

1733

Read | Most of the ICC Championship Trophy History

hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan)

Source: ICC Championship Trophy 2025

A dynamic and influential captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, played a key role in Afghanistan’s extraordinary journey at the 2023 World Cup of Cricket, where they achieved victory over powerful teams such as England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. At 30, Shahidi brought Afghanistan into the responsibility of the first ever ICC champion trophy after a brilliant year in ODI cricket.

Despite being a newbie in the tournament, Shahidi remains confident in his team’s ability to challenge and overcome any opponent.

Format

ODI statistics

Match (mat)

87

Bureau (Hotel)

85

No export (No)

15

run

2375

Highest Score (HS)

97*

Strike Rate (SR)

67.97

Centuries (100s)

0

Half a century (50s)

twenty two

Four (4s)

205

Six (6s)

13

Steve Smith (Australia)

Source: CrictoDay

The legendary Australian batsman fills the regular captain Pat Cummins, who once again took the helm of the ODI world champion in this match. Smith, who previously led Australia in the 2017 edition, has brought valuable leadership experience, and his goal is to guide the team to secure their third championship trophy title.

Despite challenging key players like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Marcus Stoinis, Smith remains confident in the team’s new members.

Format

Audis

Match (mat)

28

Bureau (Hotel)

twenty four

No export (No)

2

run

861

Highest Score (HS)

117

Strike Rate (SR)

65.27

Centuries (100s)

2

Half a century (50s)

8

Four (4s)

Six (6s)

Read | Champions Trophy 2025 Australian Team Lineup

Nazmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh)

Source: ICC

The 26-year-old, who led his team to the ICC Championship for the third time, expressed Bangladesh’s firm determination to demand that they win their first championship. Shanto remained optimistic about the team’s potential despite being in the transitional stage and believed the team had the ability to surprise many in the upcoming game.

Shanto said stressing the importance of the game to Bangladesh “It’s important. Before we came here, we all wanted to win this trophy because we’ve done a pretty good job in the last few games. This time we can consider winning the trophy because we have a very good one. The team.”

Format

Audis

Match (mat)

47

Bureau (Hotel)

46

No export (No)

3

run

1488

Highest Score (HS)

122*

Strike Rate (SR)

79.95

Centuries (100s)

3

Half a century (50s)

9

Four (4s)

158

Six (6s)

15

Jos Butler (UK)

Source: Times of India

Jos Buttler played a key role in England’s 2019 World Cup victory and captained the T20 World Cup in 2022, where he will make his third appearance in the match. As England aims to be their first trophy title, Butler is determined to lead the team to glory and add another trophy to their collection.

Despite England’s recent series of defeats in India, Butler remains confident in the prospect of their upcoming match.

Format

Audis

Match (mat)

184

Bureau (Hotel)

157

No export (No)

27

run

5114

Highest Score (HS)

162*

Strike Rate (SR)

116.25

Centuries (100s)

11

Half a century (50s)

27

Four (4s)

413

Six (6s)

170

Read | Champions Trophy 2025 Prize: How much will the winners receive?

Rohit Sharma (India)

Source: Cricket Player

Rohit Sharma is preparing for his third-time champion trophy debut, but this time, he will lead India as captain. Rohit is no stranger to the success of the big game after turning the team to the almost perfect campaign to win the 2023 World Cup in Cricket and win the T20 World Cup.

His journey in the championship trophy dates back to 2013, when India won its second title. The version also marks the appearance of Rohit as a fearless opener, who has mastered the role throughout his career.

India competed with a strong contender, with a dominant 3-0 series against England at home. The highlighted victory demonstrates Rohit Sharma and his team’s batting ability, enhancing their qualifications before the game.

Format

Audis

Match (mat)

268

Bureau (Hotel)

260

No export (No)

36

run

10,988

Highest Score (HS)

264

Strike Rate (SR)

92.69

Centuries (100s)

32

Half a century (50s)

57

Four (4s)

1024

Six (6s)

338

Read | Indian Champions Trophy 2025

Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)

Source: Cricket Player

Experienced Spinner was the ICC Championship for the first time, showing promising leadership and entering the role with confidence. Before the game began, Santner directed the Black Hats to win in the Three Kingdoms series against Pakistan and South Africa, which brought the team to an unbeaten run and ended up with the trophy.

A key highlight of this victory in the days leading up to the championship trophy was the collective efforts of several players, playing a crucial role in New Zealand’s success in Pakistan.

Format

Audis

Match (mat)

113

Bureau (Hotel)

83

No export (No)

30

run

1400

Highest Score (HS)

67

Strike Rate (SR)

90.79

Centuries (100s)

0

Half a century (50s)

3

Four (4s)

104

Six (6s)

39

Read | Champions Trophy 2025 New Zealand Team: Player List, Captain, Vice Captain and Staff

Mohamed Rizwan (Pakistan)

Source: CrictoDay

Rizwan led Pakistan in his first ICC Championship, when the defending champion turned his attention to the title on the ground. Since serving as captain last year, he has coached the team to win the Landmark ODI series in Australia and South Africa.

His leadership also saw Pakistan reach the final in the Three Kingdoms season final against New Zealand at home, building momentum ahead of the championship trophy.

Format

Audis

Match (mat)

86

Bureau (Hotel)

77

No export (No)

18

run

2523

Highest Score (HS)

131*

Strike Rate (SR)

88

Centuries (100s)

4

Half a century (50s)

15

Four (4s)

213

Six (6s)

33

Temba Bavuma (South Africa)

Source: ICC Cricket

His debut in the match after turning South Africa to the semifinals of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Captain Protis is determined to bring back the trophy they claimed last in 1998. As a key figure in South Africa’s pursuit of international success, Bavuma Hav’s team has led his team to the 2025 ICC World Exam Championship Final.

Despite the fierce competition, he remains optimistic that South Africa can take the long-awaited title of champion trophy one step closer.

Format

Audis

Match (mat)

46

Bureau (Hotel)

45

No export (No)

5

run

1733

Highest Score (HS)

144

Strike Rate (SR)

88.5

Centuries (100s)

5

Half a century (50s)

5

Four (4s)

177

Six (6s)

25

In short, with the high-risk format of the Champions Trophy, there is little room for error, these captains’ leaders will be tested as before. Whether it’s guiding their team to a tricky group stage, making bold tactical decisions, or taking performance as an example, these players will be at the heart of the action.