ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Kohli-Rohit kicked aside as Tim Southee predicts top run-getters

Former New Zealand National Cricket Team pacer Tim Southee has picked his two top batters for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The right-arm fast bowler backed Kane Williamson and Travis Head to have a great tournament and be top two run-getters.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to take place from 19th February in Pakistan and UAE. All the games except for the India matches will be played in Pakistan, with the final all set to be played on 9th March, and the venue will depend on whether the India National Cricket Team reach the summit clash.

All the 8 participating teams have some match winners in the squads and with the kind of form they are in, it promises to be an exciting ICC Champions Trophy 2025. For Tim Southee, one of the key performers will be Kane Williamson, as according to him, wickets in Pakistan will suit the Kiwi batter.

Just think about his ability to adapt to different conditions - Tim Southee on Kane Williamson ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Tim Southee feels that Kane Williamson's ability to adapt to different conditions makes him unique and adds that the New Zealand National Cricket Team batter has a phenomenal one-day record. Speaking in a video posted by ICC, he said:

"I think wickets would be pretty good in Pakistan. Kane Williamson would be up there. Just think about his ability to adapt to different conditions. We have seen his experience in different conditions, his success in different conditions and he is a guy that's got a phenomenal one-day record."

Kane Williamson has been one of the best batters of the current generation

Kane Williamson has been one of the best batters of the current generation. He arguably is the best New Zealand batter, and the amount of success that he has had in the ICC events makes him one of the key batters for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Williamson has played 165 ODIs since his debut in 2010 and has scored 6,810 runs at an average of 48.64, with 13 centuries and 45 fifties. He also has played six ICC Champions Trophy matches, scoring 345 runs at an average of 69.00.

Travis Head as well, I think he is a dangerous player - Tim Southee

While talking about Travis Head, Tim Southee said that the left-hander is a dangerous player and pointed out how he was a standout player in the ICC World Cup 2023. He believes that Australia will have a great tournament. He elaborated:

"Maybe Travis Head as well, I think he is a dangerous player. He has been a standout in the ODI World Cup last edition. I think he will like the wickets in Pakistan. Australia have historically been strong in the world events and I am sure they will be there near the end this time as well."

Travis Head has played 69 ODIs and has scored 2,645 runs at an average of 44.08 and a strike rate of over 104. He has six centuries and 16 fifties, with the best score of 154*.

Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Gautam Gambhir openly threatens Pakistan ahead of IND vs PAK