In less than a day from now, Pakistan and New Zealand will be up against each other in the tournament opener of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Excitement will be at its peak as the format returns to the calendar after a hiatus of eight years. While some prefer to watch the action alone, others want to get their mind in action, make their own fantasy team and experience the thrill of the unpredictability of sports first-hand. If you belong to the second set of cricket fans, this is for you. We list seven rising stars you must not ignore in your fantasy teams:
7 Must-Have Cricketers in Your Fantasy Team for Champions Trophy
Aaron Hardie
An abrupt ODI retirement of Marcus Stoinis paved the way for the fast-bowling all-rounder Aaron Hardie to break into Australia's Champions Trophy squad. He showed his wicket-taking ability recently when he took three wickets against Pakistan in the final T20I last year. Hardie has played 9 matches sp far, but this would be his first ICC tournament. Keep an eye on him, as he provides value with both the bat and the ball. The Indian cricketing stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, might remember him from 2018, when Hardie dismissed both of them in a practice match.
Will O'Rourke
Although it was his Test debut where he shocked everyone by picking nine wickets, Will O'Rourke has been just as extraordinary in the ODIs. In his most recent performances, O'Rourke claimed a four-wicket haul in the final of the Champions Trophy against Pakistan. In the absence of retired veterans like Tim Southee and Trent Boult and the injured Ben Sear, New Zealand will rely on Will O'Rourke and Matt Henry for fast bowling heat. O'Rourke is likely to get you crucial points, especially on pitches with a hint of movement for the pacers.
Noor Ahmad
Noor Ahmad, a 20-year-old left-arm wrist spinner, has rapidly emerged as a standout talent for Afghanistan cricket, carving a place for himself in a team that also boasts Rashid Khan and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman. Noor played a pivotal role in Afghanistan's historic triumph over Pakistan at the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. On a pitch with a hint of turn, negotiating Noor's spell will take some serious skill.
Harry Brook
When it comes to rising batting talents, Hary Brook stands head and shoulders above the rest. However, in the ODI, he still has a lot to do, considering he averages just a shade of 36 after playing 22 matches. A versatile batter with no significant weakness, there is no reason why Brook won't be able to improve his number as he plays more games.
Nahid Rana
It's not often we see a pacer from Bangladesh clocking in excess of 140kph, and that is what makes Nahid Rana different and special. Nahid is still 22, but can send shivers down the spine of batters with his extreme pace. It was his raw pace and consistency that helped Bangladesh triumph over Pakistan in a Test series last year. Rana is someone fantasy players should not ignore.
Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana made his ODI debut last month during a three-match ODI series against England, where he impressed everyone with his pace, and wicket-taking ability in middle overs. Rana picked six wickets in the series, and cemented his spot for the Champions Trophy, ahead of Mohammed Siraj.
Marco Jansen
Marco Jansen is a must-have for your fantasy teams, as he is not only the most potent wicket-taking threat in the South African team but also chips in with valuable runs. He has claimed 41 wickets and scored 461 runs in 26 matches for the Proteas.
