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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be one of the biggest cricketing events of the year, featuring the world’s top teams battling for supremacy in the 50-over format. Scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, the tournament will be hosted across Pakistan and Dubai. With some of the strongest cricketing nations participating, discussions around title contenders and potential matchups have already begun.
JP Duminy picks the finalists of ICC Champions Trophy 2025
With powerhouse teams like India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand in contention, experts and former cricketers have already started predicting which sides have the best chance of lifting the trophy. One of the most exciting prospects for the tournament is the possibility of a rematch between India and South Africa in the final, a sentiment echoed by former South African all-rounder JP Duminy.
South Africa, historically known for their struggles in knockout matches of ICC tournaments, showed glimpses of their true potential in the T20 World Cup 2024, where they reached the final before losing to India. Duminy believed that South Africa has what it takes to challenge for the Champions Trophy if their key players can maintain consistency and deliver match-winning performances.
“I think that would be ideal. Look, I know that from a white-ball point of view, particularly in one-day cricket, South Africa hasn’t necessarily played its best cricket. But what encourages me about South Africa is that, in big tournaments, we seem to see the best of them-we saw that in the T20 World Cup in June,” Duminy said to Times of India in an interview.
Duminy’s thoughts on South Africa’s chances
Duminy further highlighted that despite their history of underperforming in ICC knockout matches, South Africa’s squad has the necessary firepower to make a deep run in the Champions Trophy. He particularly emphasized how the team stepped up in the T20 format earlier this year, making their first-ever appearance in an ICC World Cup final, and suggested that a similar performance in the 50-over format could take them all the way.
According to Duminy, what separates championship-winning teams from the rest is the ability of key players to deliver under pressure. He believed that South Africa possesses a core group of match-winners who, if they maintain consistency, can make them a formidable force in the tournament. With the likes of Heinrich Klaasen, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and David Miller in the squad, he is confident that South Africa has a well-rounded team capable of going the distance.
“Heinrich Klaasen is in a league of his own right now, particularly in white-ball cricket. We’ve seen that across the globe in every tournament he has played. It would be ideal if he remains in good form. But the reality of tournaments-whether it’s the World Cup or the Champions Trophy-is that you need two or three players to be consistently performing. One player can win you a game here and there, but for sustained success, you need consistency with both bat and ball. So, players like Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj-especially in those conditions-Marco Jansen, and obviously Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller will be crucial. If two or three of them can find consistency, it will give us the best chance to win,” the 40-year-old added.
Also READ: Pakistan’s Sarfaraz Ahmed predicts the winner of Champions Trophy 2025
Road to Champions Trophy 2025 and leadership
Rohit’s leadership has been instrumental in India’s resurgence in ICC tournaments, and his experience of handling high-pressure games will be crucial in guiding the team through challenging matchups. Having played under Rohit’s captaincy for Mumbai Indians in 2018, Duminy heaped praise on the Indian skipper, calling him a “great leader” who remains calm and composed regardless of his form.
He emphasized that Rohit’s ability to stay consistent in his approach, irrespective of individual performances, makes him a great asset to the Indian team. Duminy further added that leadership in major tournaments is about resilience, and he has no doubt that Rohit will bounce back stronger if faced with challenges during the Champions Trophy.
“Form is temporary, class is permanent (on Rohit). I was reminded of that a few days ago, and Rohit certainly fits that mold. I have no doubt he will come back stronger. I’ve had the privilege of playing alongside him, and one of his greatest attributes is his consistency in who he is-regardless of his performances. He’s a great leader, and he has enjoyed tremendous success with both the Mumbai Indians and the Indian team,” Duminy concluded.
