The final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will be played between India and New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 9, 2025. India defeated Australia in the semi-finals to book their place in the final, while New Zealand advanced after defeating South Africa.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has reached its grand finale where two cricketing superpowers, India and New Zealand, will clash for the coveted title. Scheduled to take place on March 9, 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the match promises to be a thrilling encounter featuring some of the best cricketers in the world.
Probable Playing XIs
India (Probable XI):
- Rohit Sharma (capt)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- Axar Patel
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Shami
- Varun Chakravarthy
New Zealand (Probable XI):
- Will Young
- Rachin Ravindra
- Kane Williamson
- Daryl Mitchell
- Tom Latham (wk)
- Glenn Phillips
- Michael Bracewell
- Mitchell Santner (capt)
- Kyle Jamieson
- Matt Henry/Jacob Duffy/Nathan Smith
- Will O’Rourke
Road to the Final
India’s Dominance
India have been in great form throughout the tournament, remaining unbeaten in all their matches. The Men in Blue dominated the group stage, securing comprehensive wins against Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand. Their semi-final encounter against Australia was a testament to their resilience and skill, as they emerged victorious in a high-pressure game.
Key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have played a vital role in India’s batting, while the bowling attack led by Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja has been lethal against the opposition teams. India’s familiarity with the conditions in Dubai gives them an added advantage in the final.
New Zealand’s Grit and Determination
New Zealand, known for their fighting spirit, have once again proven why they are one of the most consistent performing teams in ICC tournaments. The Black Caps made their way through the group stage, registering crucial wins against Pakistan and Bangladesh. Their semi-final win over South Africa showcased their ability to perform under pressure.
Kane Williamson has been the backbone of New Zealand’s batting lineup, while the bowling unit led by Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry and Skipper Mitchell Santner has been exceptional. Their experience of handling high-stakes matches makes them a strong opponent for India in the final.
Head-to-Head Record and Key Battles
India and New Zealand have a rich history in ICC tournaments, with both teams winning and losing. In past encounters, New Zealand have often been India’s underdog in knockout matches, including the 2019 World Cup semi-final and the 2021 World Test Championship final.
Key Player Battles
- Virat Kohli vs Kyle Jamieson: Kohli’s ability to handle the innings will be tested against Jamieson’s bounce and accuracy. The contest between these two giants can decide India’s batting performance.
- Kane Williamson vs Mohammed Shami: Williamson’s steady approach will be key for New Zealand, but he will have to deal with Shami’s pace and seam movement.
- Shubman Gill vs Matt Henry: Gill’s aggressive approach at the top of the order could give India a solid start, but Henry’s pace and movement could pose a challenge.
- Ravindra Jadeja vs Glenn Phillips: The all-out contest between Jadeja and Phillips, especially in the middle overs, could have a significant impact.
Tactical Approaches
India’s Strategy
India will have to rely on their experienced top order Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill’s cautious yet aggressive approach can provide the necessary base, while Kohli and Shreyas Iyer will try to provide solidity. Hardik Pandya’s presence as a finisher adds depth to India’s batting.
In the bowling department, India will rely on Mohammed Shami’s early breakthroughs and the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja for control in the middle overs. The Dubai pitch is expected to help spinners, so India’s slow bowlers can play an important role.
New Zealand’s Strategy
New Zealand’s success depends on their disciplined bowling attack Jamieson and Henry will aim to dismantle India’s top order early, while Santner and Bracewell will look to take advantage of any spin-friendly conditions.
Batting-wise, the Black Caps will rely on Williamson to hold the innings together, while Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell will play aggressive roles Glenn Phillips and Tom Latham’s ability to accelerate in the final overs could change the game.
Conditions and Pitch Report
The Dubai pitch has traditionally been a balanced surface, which favors both fast bowlers and spinners. Teams may prefer to chase targets in night matches due to dew. The average first innings score on this ground in the tournament has been around 280-300, which suggests that competitive scores could be in this range.
Match Predictions and Possible Scenarios
India’s Winning Formula
- Strong start from openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.
- Kohli anchoring the innings and finishing strong with Hardik Pandya.
- Early wickets from Mohammed Shami and other pacers.
- Effective middle-over spells from Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja.
New Zealand’s Winning Formula
- Early breakthroughs from Jamieson and Henry.
- Williamson anchoring the innings with support from Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell.
- Middle-over acceleration from Glenn Phillips and Latham.
- Restricting India with disciplined bowling in the death overs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When and where is the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final taking place?
The final will be held on March 9, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
2. Who are the captains of India and New Zealand in this match?
Rohit Sharma is leading India, while Mitchell Santner is captaining New Zealand.
3. Which players are expected to be the key performers?
For India, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, and Rohit Sharma are key. For New Zealand, Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, and Mitchell Santner are crucial.
4. What is the head-to-head record between India and New Zealand in ICC tournaments?
New Zealand has had an upper hand in knockout games, including wins in the 2019 World Cup semi-final and the 2021 World Test Championship Final.
5. What are the weather conditions expected for the match?
The weather is expected to be clear with minimal chances of rain.
6. Which team has won more ICC Champions Trophy titles?
India has won two ICC Champions Trophy titles (2002 shared with Sri Lanka and 2013), while New Zealand is yet to win one.
7. Will the pitch in Dubai favor spinners or pacers?
The pitch is expected to offer assistance to both spinners and pacers.
8. Which players will be key in the death overs?
Hardik Pandya and Glenn Phillips are crucial for finishing with the bat, while Shami and Jamieson will play key roles with the ball.
9. Has India remained unbeaten in the tournament?
Yes, India has won all their matches leading up to the final.
10. Where can fans watch the live telecast of the final?
The match will be broadcast live on major sports networks and streaming platforms worldwide.
Conclusion
The final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 between India and New Zealand is expected to be a thrilling contest. While India will go in as favourites due to their consistent wins and familiarity with the conditions in Dubai, New Zealand’s tenacity and ability to perform well in high-pressure matches make them a dangerous opponent.
Cricket fans around the world are expecting a thrilling encounter as the two teams compete for victory in one of the most prestigious tournaments in international cricket. Whether India win their third Champions Trophy title or New Zealand their Two, this final will undoubtedly go down in cricket history.
