<
div aria-live=”polite” aria-atomic=”true”>Who: India vs New Zealand
What: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final
When: Sunday at 1pm (09:00 GMT)
Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Following 14 matches and 18 days, the premier one-day international (ODI) men’s contest consisting of the world’s best eight teams has narrowed down to a clash between the top two contenders.
India and New Zealand face off in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on Sunday.
Explore all the essentials about the upcoming showdown:
Why is Dubai hosting the Champions Trophy final?
Ahead of the Champions Trophy, the ICC encountered a stalemate between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The BCCI refused to send a team to Pakistan; while the reasons were not disclosed publically, the political friction between the nations was presumed to be the cause. Meanwhile, the PCB insisted on hosting all matches in Pakistan.
With less than two months until the event, both parties agreed and the ICC decided that in ICC tournaments from 2025 to 2031 hosted by either country, the neighboring country’s team would play at a neutral venue.
Pakistan selected to host India’s matches, including the final, in Dubai.
What was India’s route to the final?
- Six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Dubai
- Six-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai
- 44-run triumph against New Zealand in Dubai
- Four-wicket victory over Australia in Dubai
What was New Zealand’s route to the final?
- 60-run victory over Pakistan in Karachi
- Five-wicket win against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi
- 44-run loss to India in Dubai
- 50-run victory over South Africa in Lahore
🇮🇳 🆚 🇳🇿#ChampionsTrophy 2025 Final 🤩
Dubai 📍 pic.twitter.com/mD112FDOIh— ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2025
Who are the players to Watch in the Final?
- Virat Kohli (India): The Indian batting legend, potentially the best in ODI history, has revitalized his form in the tournament. Besides his matchless record during run chases, Kohli’s average is impressive against New Zealand in ODIs. His 32 matches against the Blackcaps yielded 6 centuries and 9 half-centuries at an average of 57.1. Although scoring just 11 runs in the group match, the 36-year-old is known to save his best for the biggest matches.
- Shubman Gill (India): The world’s top-ranked ODI batter initiated the event with a winning century against Bangladesh and added 57 runs in the next three games. Jill will play a vital role in India’s innings in the final, aided by his 74 average and two centuries in 11 games against New Zealand.
- Varun Chakravarthy (India): The returning leg-break bowler for the Indian team has perplexed opposition batters. Chakravarthy made his Champions Trophy debut against New Zealand, claiming 5 wickets and earning the match’s player accolade. His bowling variation would suit India’s needs on a relatively sluggish Dubai pitch.
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Williamson is one of cricket’s modern batting greats and his outstanding appetite for runs in significant tournaments distinguishes him in every competition. The prior Kiwi captain, Williamson, was his side’s top scorer in the group match against India and his teammates will hope he adds to his one century and 11 fifties against India.
- Matt Henry (New Zealand): An injured pacer during the semi-final, Henry— the tournament’s leading wicket-taker— may or may not feature. Should he play, he will be a substantial threat for India.
- Mitchell Santner (New Zealand): New Zealand’s captain is among the world’s top all-rounders in ODIs. The left-arm spinner’s skill set is crucial in Dubai and he is capable of sending the ball flying when needed.
What are the key player Match-ups for the Final?
- Gill vs Henry: The world’s leading batter facing the top bowler of the event. Henry dismissed Gill early in the group game via an in-dipping ball, which may result in more problems for India if Henry can dismiss Gill cheaply once more.
- Kohli vs Santner: A possible epic encounter between the very experienced batter and a crafty left-arm spinner could intrigue onlookers.
- Williamson vs Mohammed Shami:Shami could present a challenge to Williamson – the New Zealand star has few exploitable flaws when playing against tough competition.
- Rachin Ravindra vs Hardik Pandya:A 居бата fighter with Indian roots has an average of 75 in the contest. India may depend on Pandya’s experience to counter.
India vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Record
Since 1975, India and New Zealand have faced each other 119 times—India leads with 61 wins compared to New Zealand’s 50 with seven no results and one tie. Most recently, India has been on a six-match ODI win streak against Blackcaps beginning January 2023.
India vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Record
Last Five ODIs (Latest First): India – W W W W W; New Zealand – W L W W W
What’s the Early India Team News?
India’s team composition is expected to remain unchanged considering their success against New Zealand and Australia in the seminfinal. This includes keeping Chakravarthy, while omitting Harshit Rana.
What’s the Early New Zealand Team News?
New Zealand’s veteran player, Henry, is in doubt due to a fielding injury during the semifinal. However, if he is fit to play, the Blackcaps are expected to remain unchanged.
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Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/3/7/india-vs-new-zealand-champions-trophy-final-match-ups-stream-weather?traffic_source=rss
