Former England captain Michael Vaughan is quite active on X (formerly Twitter), often sharing his opinions on cricket. Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, Vaughan made a bold prediction.
Less than two hours before the match, Vaughan backed India as the outright favorite. He believed India was “far too strong” in terms of skill. “India to win today .. Far too strong in skill .. #Championstrophy,” he posted.
However, former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer was quick to react. He quoted Vaughan’s tweet and posted a picture of ‘Nimbu-Mirchi’—a traditional Indian charm made of lemons and chillies. In Indian culture, it is believed to ward off negative energy and bad luck, also known as ‘nazar battu’.
Jaffer’s response was clear—he didn’t want Vaughan’s prediction to jinx India’s chances of winning their first Champions Trophy in 12 years.
Jaffer and Vaughan share a long history, both on and off the field. They played five Test matches against each other, and in one of them in 2002, Vaughan dismissed Jaffer. The former England skipper never misses a chance to remind Jaffer of that, leading to countless friendly social media exchanges over the years.
In the end, India lived up to Vaughan’s expectations. They defeated New Zealand by four wickets in Dubai to win their third Champions Trophy title. The victory added another glorious chapter to India’s cricket history.
Rohit Sharma won his first ICC title as captain in the T20 World Cup 2024, where India defeated South Africa in a thrilling final. It was a historic moment for Indian cricket as they ended their long wait for a T20 World Cup trophy after 17 years.
The victory showcased India’s dominance in the shortest format, with Rohit leading from the front. Rohit added another feather to his cap by winning his second ICC title as captain in the Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand. With this triumph, he further cemented his legacy as one of India’s most successful captains.
The Champions Trophy win was significant as it marked India’s third title in the tournament’s history, and Rohit’s ability to handle pressure in a knockout tournament once again stood out. With two major ICC titles under his leadership, Rohit Sharma has firmly established himself as a captain who delivers on the big stage.