Explained: Why Sri Lanka And West Indies Are Not Playing In The Champions Trophy 2025?

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has finally arrived, marking the return of one of cricket’s most anticipated tournaments after an eight-year hiatus. Fans across the globe are thrilled to witness the top ODI teams battling for supremacy, but amidst the excitement, a major talking point is the absence of two former champions—Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

Both teams have rich cricketing histories, having lifted the prestigious trophy in the past, and their exclusion from this edition has sparked discussions about the qualification process, their current struggles, and the impact of their absence on global cricket.

Qualification Process: How Did Sri Lanka and West Indies Miss Out?

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 features eight teams:

Pakistan (Hosts)
India
Bangladesh
New Zealand
Afghanistan
Australia
England
South Africa

Unlike previous editions where teams were selected based on ICC rankings, the qualification criteria for the 2025 Champions Trophy were directly tied to performances in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.

Qualification Rules for Champions Trophy 2025

The top seven teams from the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 automatically qualified.
Pakistan, as the host nation, received direct qualification.
This meant that any team that finished outside the top seven in the World Cup failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy.

Unfortunately for Sri Lanka and West Indies, their below-par performances in the World Cup 2023 saw them fail to make the cut.

Other Full-Member Teams That Missed Out

Along with Sri Lanka and West Indies, three other Full-Member nations—Netherlands, Zimbabwe, and Ireland—also failed to qualify. While their absence was expected due to their lower rankings and limited success in major tournaments, Sri Lanka and West Indies missing out was a major shock to the cricketing world.

Sri Lanka’s Absence: A Reflection of Recent Struggles

Sri Lanka, one of the most successful teams in ICC tournament history, won the 2002 Champions Trophy (shared with India) and were finalists in the 2007 and 2011 ODI World Cups. Their failure to qualify for the 2025 edition of the Champions Trophy highlights the decline of a once-mighty cricketing force.

What Went Wrong for Sri Lanka?

Disastrous ODI World Cup 2023 Campaign

Sri Lanka struggled in the World Cup, failing to perform consistently against top teams.
Their batting collapses and bowling inconsistencies hurt their chances of making it to the top seven.

Lack of a Strong Core

Over the years, Sri Lanka has struggled to find a stable squad after the retirements of legends like Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Lasith Malinga.
Frequent team changes and lack of leadership continuity have made it difficult for them to rebuild.

Injuries and Fitness Issues

Key players like Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera have been in and out of the squad due to injuries.
A lack of fit and in-form players meant that Sri Lanka couldn’t compete with the world’s best.

Declining Domestic Structure

Unlike the golden era of Sri Lankan cricket, the domestic structure has failed to produce world-class players consistently.
Young talents struggle to transition from domestic to international cricket, leading to a lack of match-winning performers.

Impact of Sri Lanka’s Absence

The Champions Trophy has always been a stage for Sri Lanka to shine, and their absence leaves a noticeable void. The likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Aravinda de Silva have entertained millions in past editions.

With Sri Lanka missing, fans will be deprived of their unique cricketing style, including their famous spin attacks, explosive batting, and aggressive fielding.

West Indies: A Giant’s Fall from Grace

The West Indies, winners of the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy, are also not part of the 2025 edition, a stunning reality for a team that once dominated world cricket.

Their failure to qualify for the ODI World Cup 2023 itself was a massive setback, and missing the Champions Trophy only adds to their woes.

What Led to West Indies’ Decline?

Failure to Qualify for the ODI World Cup 2023

The West Indies suffered one of their lowest moments in cricket history when they failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup.
This was due to a poor showing in the Qualifiers, where they lost to Scotland and Netherlands—teams they would have dominated in the past.

Exodus to T20 Leagues

Many top West Indies players prioritize T20 leagues like the IPL, PSL, CPL, and The Hundred, over international commitments.
This has led to a lack of team stability and experience in the ODI format.

Administrative Turmoil

Frequent conflicts between the West Indies Cricket Board (CWI) and players have weakened the team.
Poor management decisions and lack of player support have further damaged team morale.

Decline in ODI Cricket

West Indies once boasted some of the greatest ODI players like Viv Richards, Brian Lara, and Chris Gayle, but their focus on T20 cricket has hurt their 50-over game.
They lack reliable middle-order batters and strike bowlers in ODIs.

Impact of West Indies’ Absence

The West Indies have always been a fan-favorite team in ICC tournaments. Their power-hitting, athletic fielding, and unorthodox bowling made them a thrilling team to watch.

Their absence means fans will miss out on the Caribbean flair and the electric performances they bring to world tournaments.

What’s Next for Sri Lanka and West Indies?

Sri Lanka’s Road to Redemption

Investing in Youth Development

Sri Lanka must focus on identifying and nurturing young talent from grassroots levels.

Revamping Domestic Cricket

Strengthening first-class and List A cricket can help bridge the gap between domestic and international levels.

Building a Stable Core Team

Consistent selections and backing players for the long-term will be crucial.

West Indies’ Path to Revival

Encouraging Players to Prioritize National Duty

The West Indies Cricket Board (CWI) must find a balance between T20 leagues and international commitments.

Stronger Leadership and Administration

A restructured cricketing system and better player-board relations can improve morale and performance.

Improving ODI Skills

Focusing on developing long-format players can help the team regain competitiveness in 50-over cricket.

Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call for Cricket’s Giants

The absence of Sri Lanka and West Indies from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is a stark reminder of how cricket has evolved. While new teams like Afghanistan are making their mark, traditional powerhouses must adapt and rebuild to stay competitive.

As fans enjoy the tournament, there will undoubtedly be a sense of nostalgia and longing for these two once-mighty cricketing nations. Their exclusion from such a prestigious event should serve as motivation for them to return stronger in future ICC tournaments.

For now, cricket lovers can only hope that the Lions of Sri Lanka and the Caribbean Kings will rise again and reclaim their rightful place among the world’s elite teams.

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