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Ponting & Shastri Predict India, Australia Final

Ponting & Shastri Predict India and Australia as Champions Trophy Finalists

Sydney, February 2, 2025 — Cricket legends Ricky Ponting and Ravi Shastri have named India and Australia as their top contenders for this year’s ICC Champions Trophy final. In a special episode of The ICC Review hosted by Sanjana Ganesan, the duo highlighted the two cricketing powerhouses as the teams to beat in the prestigious tournament.

Ponting, the former Australian captain, praised the quality of players in both India and Australia, emphasizing their consistent performance in major ICC events. “It’s hard to go past India and Australia again,” Ponting said. “The quality of players in both countries right now, and their record in big finals, makes them firm favorites.”

India and Australia have each won the Champions Trophy twice, with India clinching titles in 2002 and 2013, and Australia in 2006 and 2009. Both nations have been dominant forces in world cricket and are looking to add another ICC trophy to their illustrious histories.

Shastri, former India head coach, added that while England and South Africa could challenge for a semi-final spot, he tipped India to go all the way in the eight-team tournament. Ponting agreed, acknowledging the star-studded lineups and strong recent form of both sides.

However, Ponting also named Pakistan as a dark horse in the competition, citing their impressive form in recent one-day internationals. “Pakistan has been playing some really good cricket,” Ponting said. “Their recent performances in Australia and South Africa show they can be a strong contender.”

Pakistan, the defending champions after their surprise victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy, will be looking to repeat their heroics on home soil. Led by Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan has a well-balanced side that could cause trouble for India and Australia. They will open the tournament on February 19 against New Zealand in Karachi, with the final scheduled for March 9.

The much-anticipated group fixture between India and Pakistan will take place on February 23 in Dubai, promising another thrilling encounter between the two rivals.

As the tournament kicks off, all eyes will be on India, Australia, and Pakistan as they battle it out for the coveted Champions Trophy title.

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