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The cricketing world is buzzing as the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy kicks off on February 19, 2025, in Pakistan and UAE. The tournament, dubbed the “Mini World Cup,” returns after an eight-year hiatus, with defending champions Pakistan set to face New Zealand in the opener at Karachi’s National Stadium. Amid the anticipation, former Indian off-spinner and 2013 Champions Trophy winner Ravichandran Ashwin has made headlines with his bold predictions for the semi-finalists and team rankings.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s semifinal picks: A mix of logic and surprise
Group A: India and New Zealand to dominate
The tournament’s Group A features India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Ashwin has backed India and New Zealand to advance to the knockout stage, sidelining hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh. He rated both India and New Zealand at 85/100 for their squad strength and balance, citing India’s familiarity with Dubai’s hybrid-model conditions as a critical advantage. However, he expressed concern over India’s reliance on toss outcomes in Dubai, where day-night conditions drastically alter gameplay.
New Zealand, despite missing veteran pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee, earned praise for their experienced spin attack led by Mitchell Santner. Ashwin highlighted their adaptability on his You Tube channel content, stating, “New Zealand is one of the challengers to India”.
Group B: Australia and England’s resilience
In Group B (Australia, England, Afghanistan, South Africa), Ashwin picked Australia and England as semi-finalists. Despite Australia’s injury woes—Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Marcus Stoinis are absent—he emphasized their knack for “bringing their A-game” in ICC events. Steven Smith’s leadership and batting firepower with Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell could offset bowling vulnerabilities.
England, ranked third at 81/100, earned Ashwin’s confidence due to their aggressive style, though he questioned their consistency on slower Pakistani pitches. Afghanistan, ranked fifth at 70/100, was dubbed a dark horse but deemed unlikely to surpass the semifinal barrier.
Also READ: Winning percentage of all teams in Champions Trophy history
Team rankings: A stark reality check
Ashwin’s rankings laid bare the perceived gaps in squad quality:
- Top Tier: India and New Zealand (85/100)
- Contenders: England (81), Australia (78)
- Underdogs: Afghanistan (70), South Africa (68), Pakistan (55), Bangladesh (40)
Pakistan’s low score (55/100) raised eyebrows, especially as defending champions. Ashwin pointed to inconsistent performances and a lack of balance, leaving them vulnerable despite home advantage. Bangladesh’s 40/100 reflected their struggles in high-pressure tournaments.
Jasprit Bumrah: India’s missing X-factor
Ashwin reserved special mention for Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, which he believes cost India a higher rating.
“I’ll give them 85. I would have given India a 90 had Bumrah been there because India is completely different with him in the mix. The only concern for India, in my view, is that all their games are in Dubai,” he stated, emphasizing the pacer’s ability to disrupt opposition strategies. Bumrah’s replacement, Harshit Rana, faces immense pressure to fill the void.
The spinner also flagged India’s Dubai-centric schedule as a double-edged sword: while conditions mimic home advantage, losing tosses could force India to bat first on tricky daytime pitches.
“Let’s say we lose all three tosses and are put into bat first because it’s chalk and cheese between day and night at this venue. So, if opponents bat under lights, this 85 might start dropping,” Ashwin cautioned.
Australia’s champion DNA vs. Pakistan’s home turf
While Ashwin excluded Pakistan from his semifinal list, he acknowledged their historical prowess in ICC events. However, their recent form and squad depth fell short compared to Australia’s “champion DNA.” Australia’s ability to thrive under pressure, led by Smith’s tactical acumen, makes them perennial threats despite injuries.
The 2025 Champions Trophy promises drama, from India’s quest for redemption to New Zealand’s spin-driven challenge and Australia’s resilience. Ashwin’s predictions hinge on adaptability, leadership, and handling pressure—elements that could redefine rankings and reputations.
