India meet New Zealand in high-voltage Champions Trophy final: Preview
What's the story
The much-awaited final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will see India face off against New Zealand.
The match will be played on March 9 at the Dubai International Stadium.
India have been dominant in the tournament, winning all their four games so far.
New Zealand are not far behind, having clinched three of their four matches.
Here we present the match preview.
Match details
Pitch conditions and streaming details
The weather for the final match is expected to be scattered clouds with a temperature of 28°C.
The pitch at Dubai International Stadium is expected to be balanced, with both pace and spin bowlers getting assistance.
Historically, the average score in the first innings at this venue has been around 236 runs while teams chasing have a 60% win record.
The match be live televised on Star Sports Network while Jiostar will provide the live streaming (2:30pm IST).
Rivalry
A look at their head-to-head record
As per ESPNcricinfo, the two teams have played 119 ODIs between them, and India have an edge here.
The Men in Blue have won 61 matches in comparison to NZ's 50 victories (Tie: 1, NR: 7).
Before the ongoing tourney, the two teams met only once in the Champions Trophy - during the final of the 2000 edition, where New Zealand triumphed over India.
Meanwhile, India beat NZ by 44 runs in the league stage of the ongoing tourney.
Information
India's dominance in Asia
India have dominated the Kiwis in their ODI meetings held in Asia. The two teams have clashed 54 times in the continent with India emerging winners on 39 occasions. While NZ triumphed 12 times, three games got abandoned.
Journey
Journey of the two teams
India reached the Champions Trophy semi-final after beating Bangladesh, arch-rivals Pakistan, and NZ in the league stage.
They then beat Australia to qualify for the summit game. Notably, India are playing all their games in Dubai as they refused to travel to Pakistan amid political tensions.
New Zealand's route to the semi-final featured wins over Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Their only loss came against India, in the league stage. They got the better of South Africa in the semi-final.
Concerns
Henry doubtful for the final
Matt Henry's participation in the final hangs in the balance as he suffered a shoulder injury during the semi-final match against South Africa.
The New Zealand pacer, who is currently the tournament's leading wicket-taker, hurt his shoulder.
If Henry is ruled out, New Zealand may look at right-arm seamer Jacob Duffy as his replacement.
Meanwhile, India are likely to continue with their four-man spin attack.
Line-ups
Predicted playing XI for both teams
India's predicted playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy.
New Zealand's predicted playing XI: Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry/Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, and Will O'Rourke.
Stats
Here are India's key performers
Shreyas Iyer has been in spectacular form for India as his last seven ODI scores read 78, 44, 59, 15, 56, 79, and 45.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill has four 50-plus scores in his last seven outings. This includes two tons.
Varun Chakravarthy and Mohammed Shami have claimed fifers for India in this tourney.
With 217 runs at 72.33, Virat Kohli is India's leading run-getter in the tourney.
Stats
Here are NZ's key performers
Will Young, Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra, and Kane Williamson are NZ's centurions in this competition.
Notably, Rachin has smoked twin tons. Williamson breached the 80-run mark in his last two outings.
Henry, the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 10 scalps, will be a key factor in the final.
In the earlier encounter against India, he took five wickets. Meanwhile, William O'Rourke took four wickets against Bangladesh.
Poll
