Champions Trophy: Ponting, Shastri predict India vs Australia final
What's the story
Cricket legends Ricky Ponting and Ravi Shastri have backed India and Australia as the top contenders for the upcoming Champions Trophy final.
Their predictions are based on the depth and quality of both teams.
The tournament is set to commence on February 19, with fans eagerly anticipating a showdown between defending T20 World Cup champions India and defending ODI World Cup champions Australia.
Here's what the stalwarts had to say.
Team analysis
Ponting and Shastri discuss team strengths
In a recent interview for The ICC Review with Sanjana Ganesan, Ponting and Shastri emphasized the recent successes of both teams across formats.
"It's hard to go past India and Australia again... Just think about the quality of players in both countries right now," Ponting said.
Shastri echoed this sentiment, saying "India and Australia are both in prime form, and it would take a lot for any other team to challenge them."
Tournament outlook
Potential challengers and preparations
Shastri also named England and South Africa as potential semi-final challengers.
Ponting acknowledged co-hosts Pakistan's impressive ODI performances, especially their recent 3-0 series win over South Africa.
Regarding this Ponting stated, "The other team that is playing some really good cricket at the moment is Pakistan...Their one-day cricket over the last little bit has been absolutely outstanding."
Tournament history
Australia's preparations and past victories
Australia, who are currently playing a Test series against Sri Lanka, will also get some valuable match practice with a three-match ODI series against the same opposition.
Both India and Australia have had success in the Champions Trophy in the past, with each side winning the prestigious tournament twice, (India: 2002, 2013), (Australia: 2006, 2009)
Meanwhile, despite a recent ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka, India will get an opportunity to fine-tune their squad in a three-match series against England.
Tournament schedule
Champions Trophy schedule and final showdown
The tournament starts on February 19 in Karachi, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the opener.
Meanwhile, if India and Australia meet again in the finals, it surely promises to be an exciting contest, which is scheduled for March 9.
As the countdown to the Champions Trophy begins, the cricketing world eagerly awaits another thrilling chapter in the battle for ICC supremacy.
Squads
A look at India and Australia's squad for the tournament
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, (one further player to be added).
Meanwhile, Australia have been dented with Mitchell Marsh's recent injury.