Bhubaneswar: Men in blue’s fifth final showdown in the history of ICC Champions Trophy. In the four finals the Indian team played, 3 have seen outcome. The men in blue lifted off the coveted trophy only once, way back in the year 2013.
In the year 2000, at the final in Nairobi, New Zealand trumped India when the batting line-up was led by the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh.
A match summary of the 2000 final hints big.
- Skipper Sourav Ganguly hit a fine century (117/130balls)
- Sachin Tendulkar made a fine half century (run out at 69 in 83balls)
- Rahul Dravid batted briskly but run out at 22 run in 35 balls
- Yuvraj Singh couldn’t click
- The Indian could post a total of 264.
- Indian pacers led by Venkatesh Prasad made a terrific start
- Anil Kumble, Prasad wrecked havoc.
- Kiwi middle order revival led by all rounder Chris Cairns, ably supported by tailender Chris Harris carry the day for Kiwis.
An analysis of the 2000 ICC Champion Tropy nails the following strengths of New Zealnad Team, which make the Men in Black sing the swan song for their rival.
- Kiwis have a disciplined bowling attack then and now.
- When disciplined bowling attack squeezes run flow, batsman go running between wicket to keep scoreboard ticking.
- The New Zealanders are a very disciplined fielding side.
- This resulted in two big run outs (Sachin and Rahul) then.
- In the league match, their disciplined bowling and fielding forced early dismissals of Indian mighties like Captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
- The 2000 match showed Kiwis are vulnerable to quickie spin bowling (Anil Kumble then, now Varun Chakravarty)
INDIA’S WIN SOFT 2.025
In cricket, for the matter any game, experience plays a big role in formulating SWOT analysis. The Strengths, Weaknesses of both teams, and how that creates opportunity or poses threat in loading the win software is always assessed.
The above analysis has outlined the Kiwis strengths and weaknesses, which bring opportunities and threats for the men in blue.
All this then boils down to the performance of the key players.
ROHIT SHARMA: The skipper of Indian team and the run machine has donned the role of Virendra Sehwag since 2019. The prolific run scorer from Mumbai goes for big hits in the power play to keep the team in advantage in run scoring/chasing. But it is the time when seamers with the new ball like Matt Henry go for the kill. In 2019 World Cup in England, Henry knocked out Rohit Sharma cheaply and then ripped off through the Indian batting order restricting India to score the modest 240 runs on board to win the World Cup Semi.
In order to avoid the repeat, skipper Rohit has to play a controlled game to chase a big total, if the Kiwis score. Rohit’s negotiation with Henry in the first half-an-hour will decide Indian’s fate.
VIRAT KOHLI: Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips had been his tormentor last time in the league showdown. India banks big on this Indian run machine who bats with a lot of exuberance. Kohli has been in his vintage form now. In the league showdown, Virat was out with 11 runs only. The last game’s experience will play a positive impact, and Virat has to play the Kiwis with a lot of recalibration.
VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY: Past experiences show Kiwis are a vulnerable lot to faster spin bowling. Even, the New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner told ICC on Sunday describing him as 'a world-class bowler' with a 'little bit of mystery'.
He further added, "If the pitch plays a similar way, he'll be a challenge, along with all three of their other spinners."
Sharing Kiwis strategy to beat Varun was also revealed by Santner. He said:
“We've looked at a little bit more footage. We know what his threats are now - that 115kph armball that got me, that was a bit of a threat! - but we know he's going to be a challenge."
PITCH REPORT
As per reports, India will be playing on the same pitch (central), where it had played with Pakistan in the group league match. This pitch is dry has cracks offering good turn for spinners. New Zealand have won the toss and opted for first batting.
In the group league match, Rohit had lost toss to Santner. But then chose to bat second. It seems after getting bundled out by Indian spinners, this time Santner after winning toss decided to bat first. The strategy is score big total. A testing time for Indian bowlers, now.
Rohit lost is consecutive 12th toss and equalled the record with Brian Lara
WHY SANTNER OPTED FIRST BATTING?
As per the New Zealand skipper, there is possibility of the pitch turning slower in the second half, whereby scoring runs for the batsman will be little difficult.
