Final Showdown in Dubai
The highly anticipated final of the Champions Trophy 2025 between India and New Zealand will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Team India, having arrived in Dubai on February 16, has been playing all its matches at this venue. This gives Rohit Sharma and his team a significant advantage as they are well-acquainted with the conditions.
India has already played three league matches here, securing comfortable victories against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand. They further dominated Australia in the semifinals, making them strong contenders for the title. Having played on three different surfaces in Dubai, the Indian team has adapted well to the slow nature of the pitches. The decision to include five spinners in the squad has proven beneficial, with four spinners being deployed in their last two matches. In contrast, New Zealand has struggled to adjust to these conditions.
Past Encounters Haunt India
Despite India’s current form, history presents a different story. In the 2000 Champions Trophy final, New Zealand emerged victorious against India. Additionally, the Kiwis also defeated India in the 2021 World Test Championship final.
New Zealand, however, started their campaign strongly, defeating Pakistan in the tournament opener after an impressive performance in the triangular series in Pakistan. They also won an exhibition match against Afghanistan. Their group-stage journey included a victory over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, but their challenge intensified once they arrived in Dubai.
Struggles in Dubai
New Zealand’s first match in Dubai saw them falter against India. In that game, India posted a total of 249, while the Kiwis were bowled out for just 205. The sluggish pitch conditions here differ significantly from those in Pakistan, where New Zealand had performed well. For instance, they posted a commanding 362/6 against South Africa in Lahore during the semifinals, with centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson. However, adapting to Dubai’s slow surface will be a different challenge altogether.
India’s Recovery Advantage
While New Zealand won their semifinal by 50 runs, they only arrived in Dubai on Thursday. In contrast, India has been based in Dubai for nearly 20 days. Additionally, India played its last match on Tuesday, allowing the team two days to recover and prepare. The team is scheduled to train on Friday, further strengthening their readiness.
Rachin Ravindra’s Perspective
New Zealand pacer Matt Henry may need time to regain full fitness. Meanwhile, Rachin Ravindra, who scored a century in the semifinal, admitted that their understanding of Dubai’s pitches remains limited. He acknowledged that the pitch offered significant turn in their previous match against India, while in another game, it behaved differently. Adapting to the conditions will be crucial for their success in the final.
Ravindra – A Key Player to Watch
Rachin Ravindra has been in sublime form, having scored two centuries in the tournament. However, he was dismissed for just six runs against India in the group stage while attempting an upper cut against Hardik Pandya. He is currently the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, with 226 runs, just behind England’s Ben Duckett (227). Other notable scorers include Joe Root (225) and Virat Kohli (217). Shreyas Iyer, with 195 runs, is in sixth place.
After his impressive 108-run knock in the semifinal, Ravindra commented, “Every time you bat, there is a risk of getting out. I hope to play a long innings in the final and contribute to my team’s success.”
Final Match – A Fresh Challenge
New Zealand’s middle-order batsman Daryl Mitchell shared his excitement about the final, saying, “It’s a new game, and we’re eager to take on the challenge and adapt to the conditions. Hopefully, we can put pressure on India.”
Regarding India’s advantage of playing at the same venue, Mitchell added, “That’s just the nature of international cricket. We travel frequently and are used to adjusting. The tournament schedule is not in my control. Right now, I’m just thrilled to be in an ICC final and looking forward to the match.”
