Champions Trophy Final: India Favorites, but Crafty New Zealand can Spring a Surprise in Dubai
The stage is set for a thrilling Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday, March 9th, as a dominant India takes on a resilient New Zealand. While India's consistent performances and home-like advantage in Dubai make them the clear favorites, the Black Caps have a history of upsetting the odds, especially against India in ICC tournaments, and possess the tools to make this a fascinating contest.
The Dubai Advantage: Myth or Reality?
Much of the pre-final buzz centers around India's familiarity with the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, having played all their matches there. The pitches have been slow and low, favoring spin – a style of play India excels at. However, to dismiss New Zealand's chances solely based on venue would be a mistake. They are the only other team to have played a match in Dubai during this tournament, giving them some crucial firsthand experience.
India's Strengths and Concerns:
India's strength is, undoubtedly, their spin attack. Varun Chakravarthy, fast-tracked into the ODI squad, has been a revelation, confusing batsmen with his variations. His five-wicket haul against New Zealand in the group stage (10-0-42-5) is a stark reminder of his potential. Add to that the experience of Ravindra Jadeja and the all-round capabilities of Axar Patel, and India has a spin arsenal that can dismantle any batting lineup. Their batting, led by consistent performers like Rohit Sharma ,Shubman Gill and run machine Virat Kohli, is formidable. The weakness lies on batting in the first innings.
New Zealand's Path to the Final:
New Zealand's journey has been less dominant than India's, including a 44-run loss to the Men in Blue in the group stage. However, they've shown toughness and adaptability. Their pace attack, led by the tournament's leading wicket-taker Matt Henry, and supported by William O'Rourke, is capable of exploiting any early seam movement.
Crucially, New Zealand possesses a strong spin contingent of their own. Mitchell Santner, a seasoned campaigner and captain, is a wily left-arm spinner. Michael Bracewell's off-spin proved devastating against Bangladesh, and Glenn Phillips has emerged as a surprisingly effective part-time option, boasting an impressive 53 wickets since he started bowling regularly in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Rachin Ravindra's left-arm spin adds further depth.
Expert Opinions and Team Strategies:
Former Indian batsman Wasim Jaffer, speaking on Basit Ali's YouTube channel, cautioned against underestimating New Zealand. He pointed out that while India won comfortably in their previous encounter, the final would be a different ball game. Jaffer emphasised New Zealand's familiarity with the Dubai conditions and their strong spin bowling options, a key difference from other teams India has faced.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead acknowledged Chakravarthy's threat but stressed the need to find ways to neutralize him. "We certainly expect him to play... He's a class bowler... So we'll be putting our thinking caps on around how we nullify that and how we can still score runs against him," Stead said.
The Historical Edge:
Intriguingly, New Zealand holds a psychological advantage in ICC finals against India, having emerged victorious in the 2000 Champions Trophy and the 2021 World Test Championship final. This history adds another layer of complexity to the contest.
The Verdict:
While India, with their home advantage and in-form spinners, are undoubtedly the favorites, New Zealand's well-rounded attack, experience in Dubai, and their knack for upsetting India in big matches make them dangerous underdogs. This final promises to be a tactical battle, a clash of spin prowess, and a test of nerve. The team that adapts better to the conditions and handles the pressure of the occasion will likely lift the trophy.
