New Delhi, Feb 14: South Africa is heading into the 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy with a unit full of youthful exuberance, energy, rock-solid veterans, and plenty of ‘X’ factors, a composition that has defined the country’s cricket over the years.
However, amid the emergence of talent like Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Matthew Breetzke, and Marco Jansen, there are several problems, including a lack of winning momentum, loss of form, and lack of game time for several key players, which could potentially cause the Proteas to return home empty-handed again, with the ‘chokers’ tag once again attached to a land that has given the sport some of its best players ever.
South Africa’s ICC Champions Trophy campaign will begin on February 21 against Afghanistan in Karachi, followed by matches against Australia (February 25 at Rawalpindi) and England (March 1 in Karachi).
Leading up to the tournament, the Proteas have displayed glimpses of audacity, boldness, and grit that have shaped their cricket over the years, but it has not helped them land on the right side of results.Leading up to the tournament, South Africa has taken part in four bilateral series and a tri-nation series.
With the majority of their assignments away from home, they have managed just one series win during this time. They also lost both of their series at home to India and Pakistan. While they have experience playing in Pakistan and the UAE, the two Champions Trophy hosts, more than anyone else, they simply do not have the results.
Over the years, Protoeas have earned the reputation of being “chokers” for their inability to win an ICC white-ball title, most notably World Cups despite facing no shortage of world-class talent.
The pressure of being the next in line to “choke” has never left behind Proteas, causing them often to implode and not play their natural game.
Despite their talent and experience in subcontinental conditions, South Africa’s inconsistent form and historical struggles in ICC tournaments remain a major concern. (ANI)
