The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to kickstart from 19th February 2025 and Pakistan will be taking on New Zealand in Match 1. Pakistan are the defending champions and they need to punch above their weight in order to stand as contenders of this prestigious tournament.
Australia are coming on the back of a 0-2 ODI series loss at the hands of Sri Lanka and would be looking to brush aside the cloak of mediocrity. Former Australian World Cup-winning captain Michael Clarke has predicted his finalists, semi-finalists and also the highest run-getter in the tournament.
“India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand—these are the teams I’ve got in my top four. My fingers are crossed for Australia, so I’m going to say Australia will be one of the finalists. And I think they will face India in the final. I think India is going to beat Australia in the final. I can’t believe that just came out of my mouth,” said Michael Clarke.
Australia had defeated India in 2 ICC finals in 2023
The year 2023 was an ominous one for the Indian cricket team. Despite performing well in Tests and ODIs and reaching the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC) and the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, India witnessed Australia take the silverware and go.
Australia had hammered India by a humongous margin of 209 runs in the WTC 2023 finals. Travis Head scored a fantastic knock of 163 runs and was adjudged the player of the match.
The Ozzies once again became India’s biggest nightmare in the all-important finals of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 and defeated them by 6 wickets. Head once again performed well and scored 137 runs in this game.
India and Australia can either face in the semi-finals or in the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, based on which position they finish in the league stage.
