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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri feels India are favourites to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 but only just. While Kane Williamson smashed a century in the semifinal against South Africa and Rachin Ravindra has already scored two centuries, Shastri picked Glenn Phillips as the New Zealand player who can win the 'Player of the match' in the final. From the Indian side, Shastri picked all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel in contention for the prize.
“Player of the Match, I would go for an all-rounder,” he said in The ICC Review. “I'll say Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja from India.
“From New Zealand, I think that Glenn Phillips has something up. He might just show flashes of brilliance in the field. He might come and smash a cameo of 40, 50 and probably surprise you by taking a wicket or two.”
Phillips' form in Champions Trophy 2025
Phillips has been in good form of late. He has scored 142 runs from four innings at an average of 71 in the tournament so far. Against South Africa, he scored 49 runs from just 27 balls to take the score to 362/6 at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. With the ball, he was handy against South Africa taking two wickets for 27 runs. He departed after scoring just 12 runs in the group stage encounter against India but was electrying in the field, taking an acrobatic catch at backward point to dismiss an in-form Virat Kohli.
Shastri picks impactful batter for final
Shastri picked Kohli who followed up a century against Pakistan with a 84-run knock against Australia as India's batter who will play a crucial role in the final. From New Zealand, he picked Williamson and Ravindra to fulfill that role.
“Now (on) current form, Kohli. When these guys get hot and you let them get their first 10 runs, then they're trouble. Whether it's Williamson, whether it's Kohli,” Shastri said.
“So from New Zealand, I would say Williamson. To an extent, Rachin Ravindra, he is a fabulous young player.
“But these guys when they smell the coffee and you let them, in a final, get to that 10-15, then they're doubly dangerous.”
Race for top run-scorer in Champions Trophy 2025
Ravindra is two runs away from surpassing England's Ben Duckett and become the leading run-scorer in the tournament. Ravindra has scored 226 runs from three innings. He was dismissed cheaply by Mohammed Shami in the group stage clash. Meanwhile, Kohli is fourth on the list with 217 runs from four innings. He needs nine more runs to surpass England's Joe Root. Williamson is placed ninth with 189 runs from four innings.
