IND vs NZ, Champions Trophy final: Key player battles
What's the story
The stage is set for an exhilarating showdown as India and New Zealand gear up to clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final.
The match will be played on March 9 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
This will be India's third consecutive appearance in a Champions Trophy final, having reached this stage in 2013 and 2017.
Meanwhile, the Kiwis are eyeing their second CT title.
Here are the key player battles that might be on display.
#1
Mohammed Shami vs Rachin Ravindra
In the much-anticipated final, two in-form players will go head-to-head: Mohammed Shami and Rachin Ravindra.
Shami has been the key to India's success, having claimed three important wickets in the semi-final.
As per ESPNcricinfo, he has dismissed Ravindra twice across three ODI meetings.
However, the Kiwi southpaw has been in top form, having already slammed two tons in the tourney.
Notably, he owns a powerplay strike rate of 98.83 in ODI cricket.
#2
Mitchell Santner vs Shreyas Iyer
The final will also see a riveting battle between New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner and India's Shreyas Iyer.
Santner was instrumental in his team's semi-final win over South Africa with a three-wicket spell.
Although he hasn't dismissed Iyer in ODIs yet, he has bowled in six innings against him, giving away 78 runs from 93 balls.
Meanwhile, Iyer is known for his phenomenal record against left-arm spinners as he averages a stunning 97.50 against them (ODIs).
#3
Varun Chakravarthy vs Kane Williamson
India's mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy will face New Zealand's experienced batter Kane Williamson in the final.
Chakravarthy has been India's trump card, having taken five wickets against New Zealand and two against Australia in this tourney.
However, Williamson tackled him well en route to his 81-run knock against India in the league stage.
Moreover, the NZ star averages 42.86 against leg-spinners in ODIs.
#4
Virat Kohli vs Matt Henry
Matt Henry dismissed Virat Kohli for 11 in the league stage and won't mind trapping the star batter again.
Moreover, the pacer claimed a fifer in that match albeit in a losing cause.
Overall, Henry has removed Kohli twice across six ODI meetings with the batter scoring 57 runs off 67 balls in this battle.
While the NZ fast bowler is the leading wicket-taker of the tourney with 10 scalps, Kohli has made 217 runs at 72.33.