Champions Trophy 2025: Former RCB star Dan Christian predicts finalists

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Dan Christian feels that India and Australia could compete in the finals of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. These two teams had squared off in the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad where Australia emerged victorious.

Christian lauded Australia's performance against England in the Champions Trophy as the Steve Smith-led side chased down a daunting 352-run target in Lahore. The 41-year-old also mentioned the absence of stalwarts like Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc.

"Australia played good cricket [v England in the CT]. They weren’t at their best in Sri Lanka, but ICC tournaments bring out the best in the Australian team," Christian said via Mid-Day.

"They looked in great nick the other night. Even though England got past 350, the Australian bowlers were pretty good particularly without [Mitchell] Starc, [Josh] Hazlewood and [Pat] Cummins, three of the best in the world. When they keep playing like that, there’s every chance of an India-Australia final," he added.

Christian is currently playing in the inaugural International Masters League. He is representing Australia Masters in the T20 tournament.

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The Camperdown-born also spoke of the challenges of bowling to modern-day batters who are capable of playing big shots from ball one and can target different areas of the field. His remarks came after the highest tournament total was breached twice during the high-scoring affair between arch-rivals England and Australia.

"The game’s certainly changed. The youngsters are playing a lot more shots early on in the innings on both sides of the wicket, trying to take down the bowlers from ball one. It makes bowling pretty hard. The bowlers have to hit the exact spot every single time," Christian said.

India have already made it to the semi-finals after registering wins against Bangladesh and Pakistan. Meanwhile, Australia have three points from two matches and will face Afghanistan on Friday, February 28.