India and New Zealand Face Off in Thrilling Champions Trophy Final
Cricket fans worldwide are glued to their screens as India and New Zealand lock horns in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final.
Today, cricket fans worldwide are glued to their screens as India and New Zealand lock horns in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Starting at 2:30 PM IST, this high-stakes showdown pits an unbeaten Indian side, led by Rohit Sharma, against a resilient New Zealand team under Mitchell Santner, promising a classic Indo-Kiwi encounter.
India enters as favorites, having dominated the tournament with four straight wins, including a 44-run victory over New Zealand in the group stage on March 2. Their spin-heavy attack—featuring Varun Chakravarthy (5/42 in the earlier clash), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel—has been lethal on Dubai’s slow, turning pitches. Shreyas Iyer’s consistent batting (79 in the group match) and Virat Kohli’s milestone-laden form (nearing his 300th ODI today) bolster a formidable lineup. A semi-final win over Australia has only heightened their momentum.
New Zealand, however, is no pushover. After a convincing semi-final triumph over South Africa, the Blackcaps boast a balanced squad. Kane Williamson, with a gritty 81 against India earlier, remains their linchpin, while Matt Henry’s 10 wickets make him a threat—though his fitness is uncertain after a semi-final injury. Rachin Ravindra’s flair and Santner’s all-round prowess add depth. Their fielding, showcased by stunning catches in the tournament, could be decisive.
The Dubai pitch favors spinners, with 270-280 being a par score, and minimal dew expected under sunny 32°C conditions. India holds a 61-50 edge in 119 ODIs against New Zealand, but the Kiwis’ knack for upsetting India in ICC events adds intrigue. With $2.24 million on the line, this final is set to be a nail-biter.
