Why Team India arrived at Dubai Stadium just 35 minutes before coin toss for Champions Trophy 2025 clash against Pakistan?

Champions Trophy 2025: The Indian team did not have much time to warm-up before the clash against Pakistan as their bus was stuck in Dubai traffic.

Team India arrived at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium just 35 minutes before the toss time for the high stakes Champions Trophy 2025 clash against Pakistan on Thursday, February 23. The Indian team bus was reportedly stuck in Dubai traffic, as per a report by the Indian Express. This caused a delay in the warm-up session for the Indian team members.

Before the coin toss, Jasprit Bumrah joined his teammates during their warm-up session. Notably, Bumrah arrived in Dubai to receive The ICC Test Player of the Year Award and Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC men's Cricketer of the Year along with caps for making it to the ICC T20 Team of the Year and the ICC Test Team of the Year.

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bat first. However, the decision may backfire as dew is expected in the evening which will make it harder for bowlers to grip the ball and give the Indian batters advantage. Rizwan made one mandatory change in the side replacing injured Fakhar Zaman with Imam-ul-Haq.

On the other hand, India lost their 12th consecutive toss in ODIs. They broke Netherlands' record for most consecutive toss losses in the format. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma did not tinker with the win combination.