India vs New Zealand – ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final: Preview, Playing XI, Fantasy Picks & More
The stage is set for an electrifying ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final as India takes on New Zealand on Sunday, March 9, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. With both teams in top form throughout the tournament, fans can expect a thrilling contest between bat and ball.
Match Details:
- Teams: India vs New Zealand
- Event: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final
- Date: Sunday, March 9, 2025
- Time: 2:30 PM (IST)
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
India enters the final as the favorites, having dominated the tournament with a stellar performance. Their spin-heavy attack, featuring Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, will be crucial on the spin-friendly Dubai pitch. Virat Kohli has been in sublime form, scoring 84 in the semi-final against Australia, while Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma provide a solid opening pair. However, the openers’ occasional inconsistency in high-pressure games remains a concern.
New Zealand Team Preview:
New Zealand has been rock solid, losing only one match—ironically, against India. They sealed their spot in the final with a commanding 50-run win over South Africa, thanks to outstanding centuries from Kane Williamson (102) and Rachin Ravindra (108). Their bowling attack, led by Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and Mitchell Santner, will be key to restricting India. However, their struggles on spin-friendly tracks and heavy reliance on Williamson and Ravindra could pose challenges.
Key Battles to Watch:
🔥 Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Santner – A classic battle of skill vs strategy.
🔥 Kane Williamson vs Kuldeep Yadav – The experienced Kiwi against India’s key wicket-taker.
🔥 Rachin Ravindra vs Mohammed Shami – A young rising star versus an experienced pacer.
Squads:
New Zealand Squad:
Tom Latham (wk), Mitchell Santner (c), Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke, Daryl Mitchell, Nathan Smith, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy
India Squad:
Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (wk), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh
Fantasy Team XI – Dream11 Picks for IND vs NZ
Top Order:
- Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Kane Williamson – Reliable choices for consistent runs.
Middle Order:
- Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer – Provide stability and firepower.
All-rounders:
- Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner – Offer balance with both bat and ball.
Bowlers:
- Kuldeep Yadav, Matt Henry, Mohammed Shami – Proven wicket-takers who can make an impact.
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Picks:
- KL Rahul – Has been inconsistent in the tournament and may struggle under pressure.
- Jacob Duffy – Lacks experience in high-stakes matches.
Who’s the Favorite?
India holds the upper hand in this final, and here’s why:
Familiarity with Conditions: Having played all their matches in Dubai, India is well-acquainted with the pitch.
Strong Spin Attack: The conditions favor spinners, and India boasts one of the best spin-bowling units in the world.
Batting Depth: With Kohli, Iyer, and Pandya in top form, India’s lineup is formidable.
Recent Form: India has been dominant throughout the tournament, losing only one game.
Head-to-Head Record: India has had the upper hand in recent encounters against New Zealand.
ODI Records:
- India: 1065 ODIs | 566 Wins | 445 Losses | 44 No Results | 10 Ties
- New Zealand: 838 ODIs | 387 Wins | 401 Losses | 44 No Results | 6 Ties
Weather & Toss Prediction:
The weather in Dubai is expected to be clear, with no chances of rain. The temperature will hover around 25-30°C, ensuring ideal playing conditions.
Toss Prediction: New Zealand is likely to win the toss, but India remains the favorite to lift the trophy.
Final Prediction:
While New Zealand has a history of performing well in ICC tournaments, India’s dominance, spin advantage, and batting firepower make them the favorites.
Our Pick: India to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025!
Stay tuned for expert match predictions, Dream11 tips, and live updates!
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