ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Michael Clarke predicts India vs Australia final

Michael Clarke, the former Australia captain, has made a bold prediction for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, forecasting India to emerge as the champions. Clarke envisions a thrilling final between Australia and India, where he believes India will secure a narrow victory by just one run. This prediction comes as a significant statement from Clarke, who has been a key figure in Australian cricket for years and closely follows the international cricket scene. The prediction is especially intriguing considering the recent history between these two cricketing giants. The last time Australia and India clashed in a 50-over ICC tournament was during the 2023 ODI World Cup final.

In that encounter, Australia triumphed over India with a dominant performance, dashing the hopes of Indian fans and claiming the World Cup title. However, Clarke is confident that the Men in Blue will have their revenge this time around. India’s squad is brimming with talent, and Clarke believes that they have the ability to bounce back from their recent loss and rise to the occasion in the Champions Trophy. With key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, India’s prospects in the tournament look promising. Clarke’s prediction highlights the high expectations surrounding the Indian team, and it will be fascinating to see if his forecast becomes a reality when the two teams face off in what promises to be an intense final.

“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,” stated former Australia captain Michael Clarke in a recent interview. 

Michael Clarke has highlighted several key strengths of the Indian team ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, particularly focusing on their spinners. Clarke believes that India’s spinners will be a major asset in the conditions of Dubai, where their skills are likely to shine. With the pitches in Dubai often offering assistance to spin bowlers, he feels India’s spin attack could prove to be the game-changer in crucial moments of the tournament.

Clarke also reserved high praise for India’s captain, Rohit Sharma. He predicted that Rohit could end up being the leading run-scorer of the tournament if India goes on to win the trophy. The Indian opener has been in strong form lately, with a blistering century against England in Cuttack just before the Champions Trophy. Clarke is confident that Rohit’s recent resurgence in form will make him a key figure for India, providing the stability and leadership necessary to guide the team through tough situations.

“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,” Clarke added.