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Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has backed Indian captain Rohit Sharma to shine with the bat in the Champions Trophy 2025 and finish as the leading run scorer.
Michael Clarke backs Indian superstar to finish as leading run scorer in Champions Trophy 2025. (Picture Credit: AP)
Former Australian ODI World Cup-winning team captain Michael Clarke has backed Indian men’s cricket team captain Rohit Sharma to finish as the leading run scorer in the Champions Trophy 2025. The 10th edition of the ICC Champions Trophy will be played from February 19 to March 9 across three venues in Pakistan and one in Dubai. According to Clarke, who was part of the Australian team that won the Champions Trophy title in 2006, India is going to win the tournament, and Men in Blue captain Rohit will top the run-getters list.
Rohit, who was horribly out of form in the 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, hammered 119 runs from 90 balls on February 9 against England in the second ODI of the recently concluded three-match series.
“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.
Rohit, who led India to the T20 World Cup last year, has played 10 matches in the Champions Trophy so far and, with the help of one century and four fifties, has amassed a total of 481 runs.
Clarke also made his predictions for the leading wicket-taker and Player of the Tournament in the Champions Trophy 2025.
“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.”
