![In year 2025, shall I stick with low-level programming, or switch to a relatively high-level environment? [closed]](https://cdn.sstatic.net/Sites/workplace/Img/apple-touch-icon@2.png?v=d39b333f5c58)
talkSPORT betting tips – Best bets and expert advice for the ICC Champions Trophy
For the first time since 2017, the ICC Champions Trophy is back on the calendar and defending champions Pakistan will play host to this year’s edition of the tournament. India, meanwhile, will play all of their matches in the UAE due to ongoing political tensions with the tournament hosts. The eight-team competition begins with a group stage in which teams are divided into two sections of four, with the winners and runners-up of each group making the knockout phase. With icons of the white-ball format such as India, Australia and England readying themselves for the tournament, here is a look at how the ICC Champions Trophy could unfold this year. talkSPORT BET welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets* ICC Champions Trophy India to win ICC Champions Trophy @ 13/8 South Africa to reach the final @ 11/4 South Africa to win Group B @ 5/2 Men in Blue look worthy favourites India are unsurprising favourites to win this year’s ICC Champions Trophy, having made the final in each of the last two editions of the event. The big news surrounding India ahead of the tournament has been the absence of pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah with a lower-back injury ruling out the 31-year-old. But while losing Bumrah is not ideal, it should not be detrimental to India, especially given where they will be playing. Rather than playing in Pakistan, they will be contesting their matches on the slower pitches of the UAE which can often aid spin. And India have arguably the deepest reserve of top spin bowlers in the tournament in Varun Chakravarthy, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. In the batting department they look seriously well-equipped with Shubman Gill in excellent form and accompanied by experienced trio Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, as well as Shreyas Iyer. India warmed up for the ICC Champions Trophy with a 3-0 clean sweep of England and they look in the mood to dominate. Proteas could be India’s biggest threat In terms of which team could come closest to India, South Africa are a good pick to make the final. The Proteas made the last four of the ODI World Cup in 2023 and last year they were runners-up at the T20 World Cup. They have a deep and power-packed batting lineup with Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller benefiting from their more positive, attacking strategy, while Aiden Markram and Tembu Bavuma are also reliable willow-wielders. They look overpriced to make the final. Doubts about England in Group B Thinking along the same lines as the previous tip, South Africa could also be worth backing to finish top of Group B, which also features Afghanistan, England and Australia. Australia are always a danger but South Africa have shown they can mix it with the best and they are value to win the group, especially given England’s difficulties. England have struggled with player availability in this format and, while key players are back in the squad for this tournament, it is worth remembering they only scraped through to the ICC Champions Trophy by finishing seventh at the ODI World Cup. They have since lost all four of their series in the 50-over format and there are simply not enough signs to suggest they will be a threat in Pakistan. talkSPORT BET welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets* All odds correct at time of writing. *18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 4x £5 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chase their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites. Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
For the first time since 2017, the ICC Champions Trophy is back on the calendar and defending champions Pakistan will play host to this year’s edition of the tournament.
India, meanwhile, will play all of their matches in the UAE due to ongoing political tensions with the tournament hosts.
The eight-team competition begins with a group stage in which teams are divided into two sections of four, with the winners and runners-up of each group making the knockout phase.
With icons of the white-ball format such as India, Australia and England readying themselves for the tournament, here is a look at how the ICC Champions Trophy could unfold this year.
talkSPORT BET welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets*
ICC Champions Trophy
- India to win ICC Champions Trophy @ 13/8
- South Africa to reach the final @ 11/4
- South Africa to win Group B @ 5/2
Men in Blue look worthy favourites
India are unsurprising favourites to win this year’s ICC Champions Trophy, having made the final in each of the last two editions of the event.
The big news surrounding India ahead of the tournament has been the absence of pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah with a lower-back injury ruling out the 31-year-old.
But while losing Bumrah is not ideal, it should not be detrimental to India, especially given where they will be playing.
Rather than playing in Pakistan, they will be contesting their matches on the slower pitches of the UAE which can often aid spin.
And India have arguably the deepest reserve of top spin bowlers in the tournament in Varun Chakravarthy, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.
In the batting department they look seriously well-equipped with Shubman Gill in excellent form and accompanied by experienced trio Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, as well as Shreyas Iyer.
India warmed up for the ICC Champions Trophy with a 3-0 clean sweep of England and they look in the mood to dominate.
Proteas could be India’s biggest threat
In terms of which team could come closest to India, South Africa are a good pick to make the final.
The Proteas made the last four of the ODI World Cup in 2023 and last year they were runners-up at the T20 World Cup.
They have a deep and power-packed batting lineup with Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller benefiting from their more positive, attacking strategy, while Aiden Markram and Tembu Bavuma are also reliable willow-wielders.
They look overpriced to make the final.
Doubts about England in Group B
Thinking along the same lines as the previous tip, South Africa could also be worth backing to finish top of Group B, which also features Afghanistan, England and Australia.
Australia are always a danger but South Africa have shown they can mix it with the best and they are value to win the group, especially given England’s difficulties.
England have struggled with player availability in this format and, while key players are back in the squad for this tournament, it is worth remembering they only scraped through to the ICC Champions Trophy by finishing seventh at the ODI World Cup.
They have since lost all four of their series in the 50-over format and there are simply not enough signs to suggest they will be a threat in Pakistan.
talkSPORT BET welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets*
All odds correct at time of writing.
*18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 4x £5 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
