The ultimate showdown of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 is upon us as the undefeated giants India will take on New Zealand tomorrow, March 9, 2025, at 2:30 PM IST, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The Men in Blue will enter the match as favourites, but the Black Caps will be no walkovers. NZ have tormented India in previous International Cricket Council (ICC) knockout matches, and they will seek to add to their suffering on Sunday. Given the circumstances, India have a better squad, and if they play well, the Kiwis will have a difficult time defeating them.
The Rohit Sharma-led side has been outstanding throughout the event, reaching the final unbeaten. They defeated Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the league stage before defeating Australia in the semifinals. New Zealand, on the contrary, overcame Pakistan and Bangladesh before losing to India in the final league match. They defeated South Africa in the semi-finals to go to the final.
Two star-studded batting lineups ready to go at it in the #ChampionsTrophy Final 🇮🇳🇳🇿#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/kD8aDugFIL
— ICC (@ICC) March 8, 2025
Talking in-depth, skipper Rohit Sharma has been providing powerful starts, but when it comes to batting for longer periods, he has faced some difficulties. In the game against Australia, when India lost Shubman Gill early, it was crucial for Sharma to stay longer at the crease. Gill, from one end, has been playing an anchor’s role, while Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer have efficiently steadied the middle order. KL Rahul, the in-form wicketkeeper-batter, provides stability to the lower order. Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel have also played key roles, contributing with both bat and ball. India’s bowling attack is comprehensive, with Mohammad Shami‘s experience and the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy. It will also be interesting to see whether Harshit Rana is included in the playing XI in place of the out-of-form Kuldeep.
New Zealand have continued its record of doing well in ICC competitions, making it to another major final. Kane Williamson‘s cool demeanour, paired with the ferocity of Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips, makes their batting order formidable. Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell give more strength, assuring middle-order depth. Their bowling attack, which includes Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and William O’Rourke, will be critical in restraining India’s formidable batting order. We still don’t have final updates on Henry’s injury, but it looks like he will be included in the side. With a strong all-round department led by Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips, NZ have the ability to challenge India’s supremacy.
Head-to-Head:
Both nations have played each other in 119 matches in ODI, of which India have won 61, while NZ have prevailed on 50 occasions. Seven games ended without a result. One match ended in a tie.
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