Many veteran cricketers expect the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 prediction for India vs Pakistan to reveal different outcomes. Both sides are set to meet in late February 2025 for another round of fast-paced cricket to rekindle their rivalry. Let’s check out some major predictions ahead of the highly-anticipated ODI clash.
Cricket Legends Make their India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025 Predictions
“India will grab Pakistan” – Aakash Chopra
Veteran cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra revealed that Team India should avoid a repeat of their embarrassing performance vs Pakistan at the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. India vs Pakistan clashed in the group stages of the T20 World Cup in 2021, but the Men in Green were too hot to handle and handed Chopra’s compatriots a 10-wicket loss:
“You get a horrible feeling – Pakistan and New Zealand in our group with the matches in Dubai because the chances of it happening in Dubai are the brightest. It wasn’t good the last time this happened in an ICC tournament. We were heartbroken,” Chopra said.
The veteran believes this will be a whole new ball game as Pakistan gear to face off against a superior India team on paper. Chopra also notes that India has a better record in ODIs against their arch-rivals in high-stakes competitions:
“However, that was T20. This is ODI. If ODI matches are played in the UAE, we will grab them. Rohit (Sharma) and (Virat) Kohli will both be seen playing there. Jasprit Bumrah will be there and we have understood the ODI template very well. So, we should ideally qualify from our group,” Chopra added.
India and Australia to make the final, Pakistan to reach the semis – Ricky Ponting
“It’s hard to go past India and Australia again, just think about the quality of players in both countries right now, and you look back in recent history when these big finals and big ICC events have come around, and inevitably, Australia and India are there somewhere.”
Ponting tipped Pakistan to reach the semis at this ICC Champions Trophy edition. However, the veteran Aussie batter states Pakistan’s unpredictable nature in recent big tournaments might be a challenge they need to sort out:
“The other team that is playing some really good cricket at the moment is Pakistan,” Ponting added. “Their one-day cricket over the last little bit has been absolutely outstanding. They’re not always the most predictable team in those big tournaments, but they seem like they’ve sorted things out a little bit,” Ponting concluded.
Fans may yet see another electrifying encounter between India vs Australia on March 9, 2025 after the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 season. India lost the 5-series Test encounter by a wide margin and could target sweet revenge against their opponents from Down Under. The final will be held outside Pakistan if India reaches that stage of the competition.
“Pakistan to beat India, both teams to meet in the final” – Shoaib Akhtar
Former Green Shirts cricketer Shoaib Akhtar believes Pakistan will defeat India in their February 23 group stage clash. Akhtar also predicts that both teams will meet in the competition’s final game on March 9:
“I believe Pakistan will beat India on February 23. Both Pakistan and India should ideally meet in the final,” the veteran Pakistan cricketer said.
Akhtar also confesses that Pakistan’s chances at the Champions Trophy largely depend on their potential to win group games against teams like New Zealand and India:
“If Pakistan defeats India and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy, the Green Shirts will have already won half the tournament,” Akhtar added.
“India has 70% winning chance vs Pakistan” – Basit Ali
Ex-cricketer Basit Ali believes Team India will have the edge over Pakistan if their star players feature on February 23. The veteran believes Indian players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can make all the difference. However, Ali confesses that the absence of highly-rated players could even out the contest between these rivals:
“70 per cent India 30 per cent Pakistan. India has a more experienced side. If Virat and Rohit are not in form, then the game will be even,” Ali said.
Why is the India v Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy 2025 A High-Stakes Encounter?
The India vs Pakistan rivalry has been on for decades, and each encounter is always a do-or-die affair between both teams. Their scheduled ICC Champions Trophy 2025 encounter will be the first time both sides meet in almost a year.
No bilateral series is held by these teams against each other due to politically-motivated tensions. However, each match-up in regional and ICC competitions attracts attention from millions of active cricket fans at home and abroad.
