Hindi English Translation || Editorial || ​End of intrigue: On the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

​End of intrigue: On the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

India and Pakistan must reach a broader consensus (आम सहमति, सर्वसम्मति) on sports

In a cricket calendar packed with international fixtures and domestic T20 leagues, the ICC Champions Trophy has managed to endure (टिके रहना, सहन करना). The ODI and T20 World Cups, along with the ICC World Test Championship, remain the marquee (A large tent for outdoor events; famous or important) global events, and the Champions Trophy once seemed expendable. However, the desire for an ICC-branded tournament almost every year, coupled with its commercial appeal, has ensured its survival. Now, the ninth edition kicks off in Karachi on Wednesday (February 19, 2025), with host Pakistan facing New Zealand. The tournament, however, was nearly derailed (पटरी से उतारना, विफल करना) by the ever-present political tensions between India and Pakistan. India initially refused to tour Pakistan, jeopardising (खतरे में डालना) the event, but a compromise was reached: India’s matches will be played in Dubai. Rohit Sharma’s men will play all their Group A fixtures in the UAE, and if they reach the final, the title clash will also be held there. Once again, a global cricket tournament has been tainted by geopolitical disputes, an issue that will persist until India’s and Pakistan’s leaderships arrive at a broader consensus, including on sports. India begins its campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday.

After a disappointing 1-3 Test series loss in Australia, India is seeking redemption (मुक्ति, प्रायश्चित) in the Champions Trophy through the ODI format. A recent 3-0 home sweep against England provided momentum (गति, प्रगति), but the real challenge awaits (इंतजार करना, प्रतीक्षा करना) India under the West Asian skies. Rohit, under scrutiny (जांच, सूक्ष्म निरीक्षण) for his form, found some respite (विराम, राहत, मोहलत) with a century against England, but he and his team will need to deliver more to get to the end stage of the tournament. Beating Pakistan, technically the tournament host, at a neutral venue, will add some drama to the political intrigue (साज़िश, जिज्ञासा जगाना). The absence of injured pace spearhead (To lead or be the driving force) Jasprit Bumrah will be felt, though Mohammed Shami’s return offers some relief. Adding to the emotional weight of this tournament is the possibility that it could be the final ICC event for Rohit, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. Having won the ICC T20 World Cup last year, India is determined to reclaim the Champions Trophy, last won in 2013. Beyond India-Pakistan intrigue, Australia remains a strong contender, despite missing its pace-bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Meanwhile, the absence of West Indies and Sri Lanka from the tournament is another indicator of the shifting balance in international cricket.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Intrigue (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - साज़िश, जिज्ञासा जगाना
English Meaning - Arouse curiosity or make secret plans.

2.Consensus (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - आम सहमति, सर्वसम्मति
English Meaning - General agreement among a group.

3.Endure (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - टिके रहना, सहन करना
English Meaning - To suffer through or last over time.

4.Derail (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - पटरी से उतारना, विफल करना
English Meaning - To cause to go off track or fail.

5.Jeopardise (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - खतरे में डालना
English Meaning - To put at risk or in danger.

6.Redemption (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - मुक्ति, प्रायश्चित
English Meaning - The act of making up for mistakes or faults.

7.Scrutiny (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - जांच, सूक्ष्म निरीक्षण
English Meaning - Close and detailed examination.

8.Respite (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - विराम, राहत, मोहलत
English Meaning - A short period of rest or relief.

9.Momentum (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - गति, प्रगति
English Meaning - The force gained by movement or progress.

10.Await (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - इंतजार करना, प्रतीक्षा करना
English Meaning - To wait for something to happen.

11.Marquee (Adjective)

English Meaning - A large tent for outdoor events; famous or important.

12.Spearhead (Verb)

English Meaning - To lead or be the driving force.