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Cricketing legend AB de Villiers reckons that India and South Africa will be the finalists of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final which is scheduled to take place on March 9. India, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia have sealed their berth for the semifinal of the eight-team tournament. The semifinals will take place in Dubai and Pakistan. Semifinal featuring India will take place in Dubai and the other one will be hosted by Pakistan's Lahore.
This is the same set of teams that reached the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, setting up yet another thrilling battle among the world’s top cricketing nations.
With the uncertainty over the opponents for the semifinals, speaking to his YouTube channel, Virat Kohli's former Indian Premier League (IPL) teammate De Villiers believes that India and South Africa will face each other in the grand finale just like the T20 World Cup.
“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 remarked.
Rohit-led India are currently in a strong position as they won both of their league matches against Bangladesh and Pakistan respectively. India are currently playing New Zealand for their third league match which will decide the fixtures for the semifinals. If India lost to New Zealand, they will face South Africa in the semifinal and if they won the Men in Blue will lock horns against Australia.
The venue for the ICC Champions Trophy final depends on India's performance, if India manages to qualify for the summit clash it will take place in Dubai. Otherwise Lahore will witness the title decider. If the Champions Trophy final is abandoned due to rain or something, the ICC had a reserve day for the summit clash.
