The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be one of the most anticipated cricketing events, featuring the world’s top teams battling for supremacy. Scheduled to commence on February 19 in Pakistan, the competition has already generated immense excitement, particularly with the marquee clash between India and Pakistan set to take place on February 23 in Dubai.

While teams are finalizing their preparations, cricket experts and former players have begun sharing their predictions for the tournament, including potential winners, finalists, and standout performers. As the buzz around the tournament intensifies, former Australian World Cup-winning captain Michael Clarke has co??me forward with his insights on key individual? performances.

Michael Clarke’s choice for the the leading run scorer

During the Beyond23 Cricket podcast, host Erin Holland asked former Australi??an captain Clarke about his predictions for the?? top performers in the Champions Trophy 2025.

When asked about the tournament’s top run-getter, Clarke immediately placed his bet on India’s captain, Rohit Sharma. “Well, I’m saying India is going to win, so I’m going with their captain who’s back in form. I’m going to say Rohit Sharma will be the leading run-scorer in the tournament,” Clarke stated. Acknowledging Rohit’s recent resurgence, he expressed excitement over the veteran batter returning to his best. “Wouldn’t it be great to see him back in wonderful form? It’s good to see him making runs again. Absolutely, I think India needs him for sure,” the 43-year-old added.

Also READ: Australia’s Micha??el Clarke picks his favourite team to win Champions Trophy 2025

Leading wicket-taker and Player of the Tournament

Clarke’s choice for the leading wicket-taker was England’s express pacer Jofra Archer, despite England not being among the favorites to win the tournament. “Wow, most wickets? Well, when we did the PSL last year, it didn’t spin that much; the wickets were slow. I’m going to go with a fast bowler. I’ll pick Jofra Archer as the leading wicket-taker,” Clarke predicted. While he acknowledged England’s challenges, he backed Archer’s ability to be a game-changer. “I know England might not do that well, but I think he’s a superstar. Jofra is going to be really hard to play, so I’m going to have him as my leading wicket-taker,” Given Pakistan’s hi??story of producing pace-friendly tracks, Clarke believed the conditions could favor quick bowlers.

For the standout performer of the tournament, Clarke chose Australia’s in-form batter, Travis Head. “If it’s between India and Australia, I’m going with Travis Head. His IPL form was phenomenal, his Australian summer Test form was phenomenal, and after a short break in Sri Lanka, he’s ready to go again,” Clarke explained. Despite predicting an Australian defeat in the final, he felt Head’s impact would be undeniable. “I’ll say Travis Head will be the player of the tournament, even if Australia loses the final,” Clarke asserted.

Clarke also highlighted Head’s versatility, particularly with his underrated bowling skills, which could add another dimension to his impact. “He’s got so many gears to his game. His confidence is high, and I think his bowling is underrated. Let’s see if Steve Smith, as captain, uses him in different conditions, because he could pick up some handy wickets too,”

Also READ: Australia’s David Wa??rner predicts the winner of Champions Trophy 2025

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

The much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place in Pakistan and the UAE, featuring eight of the world’s top teams competing for the prestigious title. As one of cricket’s most celebrated tournaments, the event has already generated immense excitement among fans. The playing conditions in Dubai and Pakistan are expected to play a crucial role, with dry pitches, spin-friendly surface??s, and potential dew factors influencing the games. Teams will need to adapt quickly t??o these challenges to make a mark in the tournament.

Michael Clarke names his favourite team

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke shared his insights on the upcoming tournament, highlighting India as the strongest team in ODIs. Speaking on the Beyond 23 Podcast, Clarke praised the Indian squad’s depth, particularly in their batting lineup and spin attack, which he believes will give them an edge in th??e tournament.

“The Indian team is a very strong team. They have great batsmen and excellent spinners. The pitch in Dubai will be different. Rohit Sharma has come into great form. Hardik Pandya is a great all-rounder. The Indian team is a very good team in ODIs. This is a format in which it is difficult for other teams to defeat the Indian team,” Clarke said.

Clarke’s remarks come at a time when India’s recent performances in ODI cricket have been dominant, with the team boasting a balanced combination of experienced players a??nd emerging stars.

Also READ: W??est Indies legend Chris Gayle predicts th?e winner of Champions Trophy 2025

Still a threat despite injuries in the team

While Australia have been hit with injuries to key players, Clarke believes they remain a dangerous side. He pointed out that Steve Smith’s leadership and Travis Head’s impact could be pivotal for the team’s succ??ess in the Champions Trophy.

“Even though the key players of the Australian team are injured, the team still has great players. There is Travis Head, who is definitely very important for Australia in this tournament. On the other hand, Steve Smith is captaining. Australia is still a strong team,” Clarke added.

Also READ: Muttiah Muralitharan names 2 key p?layers for India’s Champ?ions Trophy 2025 success

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke has shared his thoughts on who he believes holds the title of the best fast bowler across all three formats of the game. In a recent chat, Clarke gave his take on what makes a fast bowler stand out, particularly when playing across? different formats like Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20Is.

Michael Clarke picks the best fast bowler across formats

Clarke, after reflecting on a series of fast bowling performances, named India’s Jasprit Bumrah as the best fast bowler he has seen across all formats. Clarke praised Bumrah’s ability to perform consistently well in all conditions, something that, in his opinion, sets him apart from other great fast bowlers.

The former Australian captain went on to explain that Bumrah’s remarkable versatility in various conditions and formats, coupled with his match-winning abilities, has made him stand out. Clarke emphasized that Bumrah’s prowess across the different formats �?whether it’s his lethal yorkers in T20s or his ability to bowl long spells in Tests �?is what makes him a freak of nature.

“The thing I’ve thought about Bumrah, after the series finished and I was sitting and thinking about his performances, I actually think he’s the best fast bowler ever across all three formats,” Clarke told ESPN’s Around The Wicket.

Also READ: Most wickets by ??an Indian seamer in a Test serie?s feat. Jasprit Bumrah

Clarke reflects on greats of past eras

Clarke acknowledged the tremendous impact of legendary fast bowlers from past eras, mentioning the likes of Curtly Ambrose and Glenn McGrath. However, he pointed out that these legends did not have the chance to play T20 cricket, which is a vital part of the game today. While their contributions were immense, Clarke believes that Bumrah’s ability to excel across all three formats makes him stand out.

“I know a lot of great fast bowlers, Curtly Ambrose, Glenn McGrath, didn’t get to play T20 cricket, so I’m not talking about those guys, but in regards to anyone who has played all three formats, I think he might be the best ever. He’s actually that good in any conditions, that’s what makes him great; any conditions, any format, this guy’s a freak,” added Clarke.

Also READ: AUS vs IND �?Jasprit Bumrah breaks si??lence on his injury and India’s performance in BGT 2024-25

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has suggested that Usman Khawaja should consider announcing his retirement during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25.

Clarke believes the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Khawaja’s home venue, would be the ideal stage for the veteran batter to bid farewell to international cricket. The 38-year-old left-hander has been under scrutiny following a lackluster performance in the ongoing series against India. Despite his immense contributions to Australian cricket since his recall in 2022, Khawaja’s form has dipped, and Clarke feels this is a golden opportunity for him to step away on his own terms.

Struggles in the BGT series against India: Michael Clarke points out

Khawaja’s recent performances have fallen short of expectations. In the ongoing series against India, he has managed only 141 runs in eight innings, averaging a modest 20.14, with a solitary half-century. His struggles against India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, have been particularly notable. Across 20??24, Khawaja has played nine Test??s, scoring 415 runs at an average of 25.93. This is a sharp decline from his stellar averages of 67.50 in 2022 and 52.60 in 2023.

Despite these challenges, Clarke lauded Khawaja’s remarkable career, particularly his ability to perform both at home and abroad. “This is Uzzie’s home Test match, the SCG. He has been an amazing player, scoring runs overseas and in Australia. At 38 years of age, I think this could be a great opportunity for Uzzie to announce his retirement and make the Sydney Test his last,” Clarke shared on the Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast.

A window for opportunity for new generation of players

Clarke emphasized the importance of planning for the future, suggesting that Khawaja’s retirement would give Australia ample time to groom a new opener ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes series at home. Australia’s search for a stable opening partner since David Warner’s retirement has been still going on. Various players, including Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney and youngster Sam Konstas, have partnered Khawaja at the top of the order. Konstas recently showed promise with a debut fifty but remains untested in challenging condit??ion?s.

“I know he would like to keep playing. His form has not been as good as he would like throughout this series. I know we have got a trip to Sri Lanka, and then we have got the Ashes. There is a lot of cricket in between, but I also think that could be a great opportunity for a new player to come in, open the batting, get some Test match cricket under their belt before the first Ashes Test match,” the 43-year-old added.

Also READ: AUS vs IND: Dhruv Jurel to replace Rishabh Pant in Sydney Test – Report

The Sydney test: Last game of Border Gavaskar Trophy

Clarke believed that retiring in front of a home crowd would be a fitting conclusion to Khawaja’s illustrious career, especially with age and form becoming key considerations. Since his recall in 2022, Khawaja has?? amassed 2,705 runs in 33 Tests at an average of 49.18, including seven centuries and a career-best 195*. Over his entire career, he has scored 5,592 runs at an average of 44.38, with 15 centuries and 27 fift??ies.

“Uzzie’s earned the right to do his own thing. But, I just thought maybe this could be the perfect time for him to finish on his own terms. In front of family and friends, Sydney Test match, what an awesome opportunity,”  Clarke concluded.

As Australia prepares for the decisive fifth ??Test starting on January 3, they aim to seal a historic series victory over India, reclaiming the coveted trophy ??for the first time since 2025. For Khawaja, it could mark the end of an illustrious career at a venue where his journey began.

Also WATCH: Power couple Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma spotted hand-in-hand in Sydney for ?New Year festivities

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Michael Clarke has been a towering presence for Australian cricket both on and off the pitch. Not only that, he has been a vocal critic of team management and players whenever he feels the need to do so. Something of a similar sort happened recently after Australian selectors dropped opening batter Nathan McSweeney and decided to call on 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas for remaining two Test matches of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia. 

Michael Clarke’s fuming remarks over dropping McSweeney

While McSweeney’s performances in the first three Test matches have been disappointing, Clarke thinks that the youngster should have been given the entire series to prove his place in the Australian squad. Questioning the decision of the chief Australian selector George Bailey, the former Australian captain talked about it on the Beyond 23 Cricket podcast and said, “Nathan McSweeney has been dropped. I can’t believe that. No matter who they picked in that opening position, they had to give them the series. I think the selectors have got this wrong.�?/em>