India Betrayed!! Ex-RCB All-rounder Picks This Side To Win Champions Trophy 2025
Published - 22 Feb 2025, 03:38 PM | Updated - 22 Feb 2025, 11:35 PM
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The former Australian all-rounder, Shane Watson, has lauded India’s powerful and balanced side in the Champions Trophy but has refused to name them the favorites to lift the title on March 09. He expects South Africa to clinch the trophy this time, thanks to their incredible amount of talent.
The Proteas finished as the runners-up of the recent T20 World Cup in 2024, losing the final against India at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. They haven’t won an ICC event since 1998, but their fabulous performances in the recent ICC competitions are a confidence booster for them.
South Africa begins the Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a huge victory vs Afghanistan
Under the captaincy of Temba Bavuma, the Rainbow Nation had a poor couple of games in the recent tri-series, with successive defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand. Questions were raised over their bowling performances, and losing Heinrich Klassen for the opening clash created pressure on their lower order for aggressive runs.
Also Read: Pakistan’s Pacer Downplays Pressure Before Champions Trophy 2025 Encounter vs India
Winning the toss, the Proteas decided to bat first at the National Stadium in Karachi against Afghanistan. A century from Ryan Rickelton and half-centuries from the middle order helped them post 315 runs. Bavuma decided to use his pacers in the first 20 overs to break Afghanistan’s back in the huge chase.
Apart from Rahmat Shah’s 90 runs, no one could stand in the chase, as they fell short by 107 runs. The next best individual score in the batting department was 18 runs. That painted the picture of their struggling batting.
Shane Watson predicts South Africa is the team to beat in Champions Trophy 2025
In a column for the ICC, Watson opined that even though India would start as favorites for the event, thanks to retaining the World Cup squad, the Proteas would be the team to beat in the campaign.
“India has an incredibly strong squad, and the conditions will suit them of course. It’s a squad that is used to hot and humid conditions, so they will be hard to beat. There is hardly any player from the last World Cup to now, and that consistency is hard to overlook.” The former all-rounder of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) expressed.
“The other team I like is South Africa. They made the final in the last T20 World Cup and have so much talent there. I know they have not quite got over the line at ICC events, but I believe in this team.” He penned down.
The Queenslander observed a well-balanced Protea side who will condition and are not scared of previous failures.
“The batting lineup is so good. They have Heinrich Klaasen, who is one of the best short-format batters in the world, and David Miller as well. They have a range of skills with the ball as well, and the spinners add huge value there.” The former Australian all-rounder revealed.
“I would be surprised if they don’t get over the line in an ICC event soon because this generation has the talent and doesn’t have the scars. If they do, the floodgates could well open.” He concluded.
India aims for semifinal qualification against Pakistan
India hopes for the semifinal tickets after a potential victory against Pakistan in the second game of the event at the Dubai International Stadium on February 23. The Rohit Sharma-led side is confident after the special victory against Bangladesh.
The Mohammed Rizwan-led is in a do-or-die situation. A victory against India will keep them alive in the tournament, while a defeat will end the campaign even before the last league game against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. But they will be under pressure after the 60-run defeat against New Zealand in Karachi.
