Champions Trophy debut captains to watch out for in the 2017 edition

Little focus is on the captains, who guide the team to a positive or a negative campaign, where they almost end up being unnoticed.

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Steven Smith of Australia
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Steven Smith of Australia acknowledges the crowd as he leaves the field after scoring 164. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Virat Kohli Indian captain News
Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: BCCI)

The Champions Trophy has always been a place for the top batsmen and top bowlers to prove their worth in front of the entire world. Little focus is on the captains, who guide the team to a positive or a negative campaign, where they almost end up being unnoticed.

In a tournament of this stature, there are as many as seven debut captains in the tournament with only AB de Villiers retaining his place as the skipper for South Africa. Steve Smith and Virat Kohli have led their respective countries Australia and India to amazing victories in the recent past; a lot will change when the pressure of a huge championship is at stake.

While English skipper Eoin Morgan would be looking to lead his side to an ICC victory after several years, it would be a momentous task for the Three Lions to close out the challenges from a home tournament victory.

Here we would be looking at the five captains who are going to make their debut as captains in the Champions Trophy: 

#1 Steven Smith- Australia

Steve Smith of Australia News
Steve Smith of Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Australia would enter the tournament as prime favorites alongside the English side led by Eoin Morgan. Last time the Kangaroos’ played in the Champions Trophy, they were under the tutelage of Michael Clarke. Since the 2015 World Cup, the captaincy duties have been handed over to Steven Smith.

Smith has been in tremendous form for the Aussies not only with the bat but also with his captaincy. The right-arm batsman has led the Yellows in 38 games, out of which the team has won 23 and endured 14 defeats, with one match ending in no-result. Smith is also the prime candidate for the leading run-scorer in the tournament merit, with his scintillating form in recent times.

#2 Virat Kohli- India

Virat Kohli of India v Pakistan
Virat Kohli of India. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)

MS Dhoni stepped down from the limited-overs captaincy last year, causing widespread sadness amongst the Indian fans. The departure of an ice-cool captain gave way for a fire-hot captain in the form of Virat Kohli. The right-arm batsman is arguably world’s best batsman at the moment and is ranked No.3 behind the likes of AB de Villiers and Australia’s David Warner.

In the 20 games, he has skippered the country, the Delhi lad has led the team to 16 victories, and only four of the other games ended up in the ‘L’ section at a win rate of 80%. Kohli has been in his best form at the moment after leading the Indian team to a 2-1 comeback home win against Steve Smith’s Australia.

#3 Kane Williamson- New Zealand

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson
New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson. (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)

The list contains three quality batsmen as three captains of different countries which talks volumes about the competition in the International circuit. The New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, just like his predecessors in the list is also a top class batsman.

In the 27 matches that Kane has been the skipper, the Kiwis have won 11 of them, with 15 of them resulting in a loss. The Kiwi batsman has to put behind him the 15 losses and look forward to New Zealand’s surprise victory in the Champions Trophy. The right-handed batsman is more than capable of leading the talented Kiwi side to a victory.

#4 Sarfraz Ahmed- Pakistan

Sarfaraz Ahmed
Sarfaraz Ahmed. (© Getty Images)

If there was ever a captain, who is under extreme pressure in the competition, it has to be Pakistan’s recently appointed captain – Sarfraz Ahmed. The wicket-keeper batsman is leading the talented crop of Pakistani players in the Champions Trophy for the first time in his career.

Sarfraz has replaced the struggling Azhar Ali as Pakistan’s skipper just before the tournament. In the four matches that he has led the men in Green, they have won three, and the other one has resulted in a loss with a win percentage of 75%. It is almost evident that Sarfraz has a big boot to fill after replacing the previous skipper Azhar Ali.

#5 Eoin Morgan- England

Eoin Morgan
Eoin Morgan. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Eoin Morgan, England’s skipper, is the much-awaited captain on the list. Morgan would be leading the English team on their home soil in a bid to win the Champions Trophy that has eluded them in the past, with a loss in the 2013 finals to Team India.

The left-handed batsman has led the team on 47 occasions, with 24 of them resulting in a win for the Three Lions. On the other 20 occasions, the skipper had to say it was a bad day with the loss and one match has resulted in a tie. The skipper comes fresh from the 2-1 victory over the World No.1 side South Africa in the ODI series.

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