Related Articles
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to begin on February 19, 2025, in Pakistan, and cricket fans worldwide are eager to know which teams will make it to the final. Former cricket legends Ricky Ponting and Ravi Shastri have made bold predictions, backing India and Australia as the two finalists of the tournament.
Ponting Predicts Australia vs. India in the Final
Speaking on The ICC Review with Sanjana Ganesan, Ricky Ponting expressed confidence that India and Australia will once again be the strongest contenders.
“It’s hard to go past India and Australia again,” Ponting said. “The quality of players in both countries is exceptional, and history shows that they consistently perform in ICC events.”
Pakistan – A Strong Challenger?
Ponting also named Pakistan as a potential title contender. He praised their recent ODI performances, stating:
“Pakistan has been playing excellent cricket lately. They may be unpredictable, but they seem to have figured things out.”
With Babar Azam leading the side and a passionate home crowd backing them, Pakistan could be a major threat in the tournament.
Ravi Shastri’s Semi-Finalists Prediction
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri agreed with Ponting’s final picks but also named England and South Africa as strong contenders for the semi-finals.
“England and South Africa have great squads and experience in big tournaments. If they play their best cricket, they could go far,” said Shastri.
History of India & Australia in Champions Trophy
Both India and Australia have a strong record in this tournament:
- India: Winners in 2002 & 2013
- Australia: Winners in 2006 & 2009
With their dominant recent performances, they remain favourites to win in 2025.
Why India and Australia Are Favorites
- Consistent ICC performances
- Star-studded squads with players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Steve Smith, and Pat Cummins
- Recent title wins (Australia – World Test Championship 2023, ODI World Cup 2023)
- Strong bowling & batting line-ups
10 Common FAQs About ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- When does the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 start?
- February 19, 2025.
- Where will the final be held?
- Lahore, unless India qualifies, then it moves to Dubai.
- Which teams are participating?
- India, Australia, Pakistan, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Afghanistan.
- Who are the defending champions?
- Pakistan, winners of the 2017 edition.
- How many matches will be played?
- 15 matches over 19 days.
- Which venues will host matches in Pakistan?
- Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi.
- Where will India’s group matches be played?
- All of India’s group matches will be held in Dubai.
- Who are the top contenders for the title?
- India, Australia, Pakistan, England, and South Africa.
- What happens if rain affects the semi-finals or final?
- Reserve days are scheduled for all knockout matches.
- Who are the top players to watch in the tournament?
- Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Steve Smith, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Jos Buttler.
Conclusion
With cricketing giants like India, Australia, and Pakistan gearing up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, fans can expect an electrifying tournament. Ponting and Shastri’s predictions favor an India vs. Australia final, but with Pakistan playing on home soil, they might cause an upset.
