ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Ravi Ashwin predicts four semi-finalists of the tournament

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played from February 19 to March 9.

The ICC Champions Trophy is set for a much-anticipated return after eight years. The tournament will kick off on February 19, Wednesday, with hosts Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi.

This year’s edition has been marred by injuries and will see several superstars missing the tournament.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played in a hybrid model across Pakistan and Dubai. The eight participating teams are divided into two groups – A and B. Group A features hosts Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan.

With the tournament just a day away, the cricket world is buzzing with predictions. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now predicted the semi-finalists of the tournament.

Ravichandran Ashwin picks the semifinalists for the ICC Champions Trophy

Predicting his semi-finalists of the tournament, former Indian spinner Ashwin backed India to make it to the top four. Notably, the veteran off-spinner picked New Zealand to qualify over hosts Pakistan from Group A to qualify for the semi-finals.

From group B, Ashwin backed ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 winners Australia to reach the semi-finals despite the Aussies missing several star players, including Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Marsh.

The 37-year-old backed Australia’s arch-rivals England to be the fourth team to make it to the semi-finals.

Ashwin played a crucial role in India’s Champions Trophy 2013 triumph, taking eight wickets in five games at an average of 22 and an economy rate of 4.5. He even bowled the final over in the tournament final, defending 15 runs against England to secure the title.

India will begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh in Dubai and will then face Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2 in the group stage, all at the same venue.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.