ANI
09 Mar 2025, 08:41 GMT+10
Dubai [UAE], March 9 (ANI): Team India will lock horns with New Zealand in the final of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday in search of registering one more ICC trophy against their names.
Adding to the intrigue, these two teams have already battled in the tournament, and at the same venue, no less. This means strategies and adjustments will be firmly in focus as the Black Caps attempt to correct what happened a week ago.
The match will be played at the Dubai International Stadium, which has hosted India's campaign. The pitch offers plenty for bowlers, particularly spinners, who loom large in both lineups for the big contest.
Recent form:
India: Rohit Sharma and co been faultless all Champions Trophy, having claimed all four contests in Dubai with relative ease. India topped Group A, completed with a win over their Final rivals New Zealand before launching into the knockout phase. Their team is the full package - quality strokemakers, damaging closers, great opening bowlers and a bull pen of spin options. India will be hard to beat.
New Zealand: The Kiwis' run to the Final has also been impressive and noteworthy. Outside of that loss to India, they haven't put a foot wrong in the tournament and their victory over South Africa was a strong semi-finals statement. The experience of already playing against India on the well-publicised Dubai wicket will hold them in good stead to be even better prepared for this follow-up contest.
Players in focus:
India: Mohammed Shami
It could be any one of the four slow bowlers that steps up and takes wickets through the mid-phase for India. But Shami's job as the opener is more distinct. He took three wickets against the Aussies last start, and if he generates any early-innings breakthroughs with the new ball, it'll send the Kiwis' batting plan off schedule.
New Zealand: Rachin Ravindra
The 25-year-old sensation has developed a reputation as a big game hunter. Ravindra scored his fifth ODI hundred in the semi-finals against South Africa, and all five of those triple-figure knocks have come in ICC event competition. He saves his best for the big stage, and it certainly doesn't get much bigger than a Champions Trophy Final. His contribution doesn't end with the bat, either. Captain Mitchell Santner will utilise Ravindra's left-arm orthodox in the middle overs, which could well prove pivotal on the Dubai deck.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Jacob Duffy. (ANI)
Get a daily dose of Johannesburg Life news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Johannesburg Life.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: Multi-billionaire Elon Musk, a close adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, has welcomed his 14th child. His newest...
ROME, Italy: Italy's agricultural sector is bracing for a major hit as U.S. tariffs threaten exports of iconic products like Prosecco...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Former U.S. President Donald Trump says he wants to cut federal funding for colleges that allow what he calls illegal...
CNN - In a recent interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly expressed strong opposition to President...
NEWARK, New Jersey: Over the weekend, a FedEx Boeing 767 cargo plane hit a bird while taking off from Newark Airport. One of its...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Pentagon told its civilian employees that they must provide a list of five bullet points detailing their accomplishments...
Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 9 (ANI): Indian cricket team supporters perform a 'havan' at the Radha Madhav Temple on Sunday,...
The opening meeting of the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing,...
Dubai [UAE], March 9 (ANI): Team India will lock horns with New Zealand in the final of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final...
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) In a difficult season, Senior Day was a happy one for the Pitt Panthers courtesy of...
(250309) -- ADDIS ABABA, March 9, 2025 (Xinhua) -- People attend a special ceremony honoring women's contribution to the aviation industry...
Abu Dhabi [UAE], March 9 (ANI/WAM): The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the attack on a helicopter affiliated...