NZ Win Toss, Opt to Bat First in Champions Trophy Clash

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final erupted into action as New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bat first against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The match, starting at 2:30 PM IST, pits Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten Indian juggernaut against a tenacious Kiwi side, setting the stage for a gripping title showdown.

Santner’s call to bat reflects confidence in posting a defendable total on a ‘semi-fresh,’ dry pitch—last used for India’s win over Pakistan two weeks ago—expected to slow and turn later, favoring India’s spin attack. With Matt Henry ruled out due to injury, Nathan Smith slots in as New Zealand’s only change from their semi-final upset over South Africa. Rohit, losing his 12th straight ODI toss (tying Brian Lara’s unwanted record), stuck with India’s winning formula, banking on spinners Varun Chakravarthy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel to repeat their March 2 heroics, when Chakravarthy’s 5/42 bowled New Zealand out for 205 chasing 249.

India, riding Shreyas Iyer’s 79 from that group-stage win and a semi-final triumph over Australia, enters as favorites. New Zealand counters with Kane Williamson’s experience (81 in the earlier clash) and Rachin Ravindra’s flair, aiming to defy their 50-61 ODI record against India. With no dew expected under 32°C sunshine, the pitch’s par score hovers around 270-280, promising a spin-dominated battle. India seeks a third Champions Trophy crown, while New Zealand hunts a maiden final victory over them in an ICC event.

Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Varun Chakravarthy.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Zak Foulkes, Jacob Duffy.