Kolkata : Former Australia opener David Warner has predicted the winner of ICC Champions Trophy (CT) 2025, starting from February 19 – March 9, and it is not Indian team.
The CT has returned to Cricketing forum after span of 8 years. Pakistan, the defending champion, having defeated India in 2017 Final, are official hosts of the tournament. However, due to security and personal issues, India will play their matches in Dubai. Both the venues – Pakistan and Dubai are spin friendly, likely to favour Asian teams.
The teams are divided into 2 Groups, Group A – New Zealand, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh & Group B – England, Australia, Afghanistan, South Africa. Top 2 teams from each group will qualify for semi finals.
Whom does David Warner predict as ICC Champions Trophy 2025 winner?
Amidst the Champions Trophy preparations, Australian camp has been hit with injury scare, as 3 of their prominent players – World Cup winning skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Hazelwood are almost ruled out with injuries. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis too announced ODI retirement despite being picked in squad.
Despite these circumstances, former Australian legendary opener David Warner has picked the 2 times (2006, 2009) winner Australia to be victorious in Champions Trophy 2025.
He stated, Australia are good in ICC Tournaments and know how to win or succeed in spite of whatever players they field. Warner also mentioned that the current squad players are built for playing under pressure and it won’t matter who replaces them.
“Australia are very good in the World Cups and Champions Trophies and in tournament play. So, the Australian team knows how to win. They know how to succeed. It doesn’t matter what players they play,” Warner told a virtual press conference.
“The guys are all built with playing under pressure. So, I think, whoever replaces those guys would do very well and the team in general would do great as well.”
Australia will need to make 4 changes to their preliminary squad for the tournament.
Aussies have won the Champions Trophy twice, in 2006 and 2009 under legend Ricky Ponting, making them most successful team in the tournament alongside India, who won in 2002 (joint with Sri Lanka) and 2013.
Australia will begin their campaign facing arch rivals England on February 22, 2025. Veteran Steven Smith or Travis Head is likely to lead Aussies in probable absence of Cummins.
