Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has boldly predicted that India will lift the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, edging out Australia in a nail-biting final by just one run. Clarke envisions a rematch of the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where Australia broke Indian hearts with a dominant victory. However, this time, he believes the Men in Blue will turn the tables and script a different ending.
“I think Australia will be in the final (Champions Trophy) and will be playing against India. I want Australia to win, but I actually think India is going to win the Champions Trophy. They are the best and No.1 ODI team in the world at the moment. I think it will be India and Australia in the final, and India will win by one run,” Michael Clarke told RevSportz.
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Michael Clarke highlighted India’s biggest strength—their spinners—who he believes will thrive in Dubai’s conditions. He also lavished praise on Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, backing him to be the tournament’s top run-scorer if India clinchs the title.
Rohit Sharma’s recent resurgence, marked by a fluent century against England in Cuttack before the Champions Trophy, has convinced Clarke that the Indian captain will be pivotal to the team’s success.
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“He (Rohit Sharma) is back in form, no doubt about it. The century he made in Cuttack before CT 2025—he’s hitting the ball so well. He has an important role, especially in those conditions. He’s got to play with that aggressive intent and maximize the powerplay. He is going to take risks, but I just think he is that good a player. I wouldn’t be surprised if India were to win the Champions Trophy and Rohit Sharma is the leading run-scorer,” Michael Clarke added.
