AB de Villiers predicts that India and South Africa will clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, scheduled for March 9. The semifinals, featuring India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia, will be held in Dubai and Pakistan. The same teams reached the semifinals of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, promising an exciting rematch. De Villiers expressed a strong feeling that history could repeat itself with both teams meeting again, similar to the previous T20 World Cup final. India’s performance in their final group match against New Zealand will determine their semifinal opponent and the final’s venue in Dubai or Lahore.
Cricketing icon AB de Villiers believes that India and South Africa are set to clash in the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled for March 9. India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia have all secured their spots in the semifinals of the eight-team tournament. The semifinals will be held in Dubai and Pakistan, with India’s matchup taking place in Dubai, while the other semifinal will be hosted in Lahore, Pakistan.
This lineup mirrors the teams that reached the semifinals of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, promising yet another exciting showdown among the world’s elite cricketing nations.
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With the opponents for the semifinals still uncertain, AB de Villiers, speaking on his YouTube channel and as a former IPL teammate of Virat Kohli, feels that a face-off between India and South Africa in the final is highly likely, reminiscent of their T20 World Cup encounter.
“It’s tough to predict, but I have a gut feeling we will see an India vs South Africa final. It could be just like the T20 World Cup final last year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if history repeats itself (with both teams meeting again this time),” De Villiers stated.
Led by Rohit Sharma, India is in a strong position after winning both their league matches against Bangladesh and Pakistan. They are currently up against New Zealand for their third league match, which will determine the semifinal matchups. A loss to New Zealand would mean India faces South Africa in the semifinal, while a victory would set up a clash against Australia.
The final venue for the ICC Champions Trophy hinges on India’s performance; if they qualify for the title match, it will be held in Dubai. Otherwise, Lahore will host the decisive game. Additionally, if the Champions Trophy final is affected by rain or other unforeseen circumstances, the ICC has arranged a reserve day for the title match.