ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Aussie legend picks Rohit Sharma as top scorer & India’s biggest enemy as MVP

Former Australia National Cricket Team captain Michael Clarke has predicted India National Cricket Team skipper Rohit Sharma will finish as the leading run-getter in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Michael Clarke also predicted that his fellow countryman Travis Head will win the Player of the Tournament award in the marquee 50-over competition, which will be played in Pakistan and Dubai.

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Travis Head has dominated against India

The 31-year-old left-handed batter Travis Head loves playing against Team India. He rarely fails to perform against the Men In Blue, especially when Rohit Sharma is leading the team, and has emerged as the biggest nightmare for the side.

In the recent edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Head demolished the Indian bowling attack and played a key role in Australia winning the BGT for the first time in a decade.

Talking about his ODI numbers against India, Head has scored 345 runs in 9 matches at an average of 43.12 and a strike rate of 101.76.

He has hit one century and one fifty against India and his best score of 137 came in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad that helped the Aussies win the trophy.

I am going to say Rohit Sharma—leading run scorer in the tournament - Michael Clarke snubs Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be played from February 19 to March 9 and Rohit Sharma's India will be heading into the tournament as the favorites.

Rohit Sharma's performance will be crucial for India's success in the competition and he would be looking to deliver for his team. The Indian skipper had an awful run in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, but he recently played a sensational knock of 119 runs off 90 balls in the second ODI against England, which was an indication that he hadn't lost touch in 50-over cricket.

Meanwhile, Michael Clarke, who was part of the Australian team that won the Champions Trophy in 2006, predicted India to win the tournament and Rohit Sharma to finish as the highest run-getter.

"Well, I am saying India is going to win (Champions Trophy). I am going to go with their captain, who’s back in form. I am going to say Rohit Sharma—leading run scorer in the tournament. It’s good to see him making runs again. I think India need him for sure," Clarke said on the latest episode of Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

Jofra Archer and Travis Head picked as leading wicket-taker and MVP by Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke further picked English pacer Jofra Archer as the leading wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy and Aussie star Travis Head as the Player of the Tournament.

Clarke said that England might not do very well in the competition, but Archer, being a class bowler, will definitely perform well. He elaborated:

"I want to go with Jofra Archer—leading wicket-taker. I know England; I am not expecting them to do that well, but I think he’s a superstar. I think Jofra is going to be really hard to play. So, I am going to have him as my leading wicket-taker."

“I am going to go with Travis Head (for Player of the Tournament). Travis Head has been in terrific form. His IPL form was phenomenal. Australian Test summer form phenomenal. He has had a bit of a break in Sri Lanka. He is ready to go again. So, I am going to say Travis Head Player of the Tournament even though I think Australia might lose the final. He is full of confidence; that’s what you want, and I think his bowling is underrated. He can bowl a lot more."