The stage is set for an electrifying Champions Trophy 2025 final as India and New Zealand clash at the Dubai International Stadium on March 9. Both teams have taken different routes to the final, but with high stakes and historical rivalries at play, this promises to be another thrilling Indo-Kiwi showdown.
India’s Dominant Run to the Final
Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, India has dominated the tournament, boasting an unbeaten run so far. Their success has largely been driven by:
- A strong spin attack, featuring Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy, making them lethal on slow pitches.
- A solid batting order, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul leading the charge.
- A convincing semi-final victory over Australia, proving their all-round strength.
New Zealand’s Resilient Journey
New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, has once again punched above its weight in ICC tournaments. They started strong with wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh, before losing to India in the group stage. However, their semi-final triumph against South Africa highlighted their ability to thrive in high-pressure matches.
Key Players for New Zealand:
- Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra – instrumental in their semi-final victory.
- Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips – providing all-round capabilities.
- Michael Bracewell – a key weapon in spin-friendly conditions.
Can India Overcome Their Knockout Woes Against New Zealand?
Despite India’s group-stage win over New Zealand, history favors the Kiwis in ICC knockout games. New Zealand leads the head-to-head record 3-1 in ICC knockouts, including:
- 2019 ODI World Cup Semi-Final – New Zealand stunned India.
- 2021 World Test Championship Final – New Zealand dominated in swinging conditions.
India will be eager to break this jinx and reclaim the Champions Trophy for the first time since 2013.
Pitch Report: Spinners Set to Dominate
The Dubai International Stadium pitch has been low-scoring throughout the tournament, favoring spinners and slower bowlers. The same pitch used for India’s clash against Pakistan will be in play, ensuring a slow and gripping surface.
Expected Conditions:
- 270-280 will be a highly competitive total.
- Spinners will dominate, making stroke play difficult.
- Early batting conditions may favor pacers, but the pitch will slow down as the game progresses.
Squads for the Final
India Squad
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Shami, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana.
New Zealand Squad
Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Jacob Duffy.