Match Overview
- Fixture: India vs New Zealand, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final
- Date: March 9, 2025
- Time: 2:30 PM IST
- Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
Team Performances Leading to the Final
India
India has been in stellar form throughout the Champions Trophy 2025, remaining unbeaten in the tournament. Their journey to the final includes dominant victories over Bangladesh and Pakistan in the group stages, followed by a comprehensive win against Australia in the semi-finals. The team’s batting lineup, led by captain Rohit Sharma and the ever-reliable Virat Kohli, has consistently posted formidable totals. The bowling unit, featuring experienced pacers and crafty spinners, has effectively restricted opposing teams, showcasing a balanced and formidable side.
New Zealand
New Zealand has displayed resilience and tactical acumen, earning their spot in the final with noteworthy performances. After a convincing win against Pakistan and a hard-fought victory over Bangladesh in the group stages, the Black Caps showcased their prowess by defeating South Africa by 50 runs in the semi-finals. Centuries from Rachin Ravindra and captain Kane Williamson were instrumental in setting a challenging target, highlighting the team’s depth and composure under pressure.
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, India and New Zealand have engaged in numerous thrilling encounters. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), the two teams have faced each other 118 times, with India leading with 60 wins to New Zealand’s 50, and 8 matches ending without a result. However, in ICC tournaments, New Zealand has often had the upper hand, including a notable victory in the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy final.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch Analysis
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium is known for its balanced pitches, offering assistance to both batsmen and bowlers. In recent matches, the surface has exhibited a tendency to slow down as the game progresses, making stroke play challenging in the latter stages. Spinners are likely to find considerable turn, especially in the second innings, which could be a decisive factor in the match outcome. Teams winning the toss might prefer to bat first to capitalize on the relatively better batting conditions early on.
Weather Forecast
The weather in Dubai on March 9, 2025, is expected to be clear and sunny, with temperatures reaching up to 90°F (32°C) during the day and dropping to around 57°F (14°C) in the evening. Humidity levels are anticipated to be moderate, and there is no significant chance of precipitation, ensuring uninterrupted play.
Probable Playing XIs
India
- Rohit Sharma (c): The captain and opening batsman, known for his explosive starts and ability to anchor innings.
- Shubman Gill: A technically sound opener with a knack for building partnerships.
- Virat Kohli: The backbone of India’s batting lineup, renowned for his consistency and chasing prowess.
- Shreyas Iyer: A dynamic middle-order batsman capable of accelerating the scoring rate.
- KL Rahul (wk): The wicketkeeper-batsman, versatile in adapting to different batting positions.
- Hardik Pandya: An all-rounder who provides balance with his explosive batting and handy medium-pace bowling.
- Ravindra Jadeja: A seasoned all-rounder, offering left-arm spin and sharp fielding skills.
- Axar Patel: A reliable spin-bowling all-rounder, contributing with both bat and ball.
- Harshit Rana: A promising fast bowler, known for his pace and ability to extract bounce.
- Arshdeep Singh: A left-arm pacer, bringing variety to the bowling attack.
- Varun Chakravarthy: A mystery spinner, capable of deceiving batsmen with his variations.
Note: India might rest senior players like Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav to manage workloads, providing opportunities for Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy.
New Zealand
- Will Young: A solid opener with a technique suited for both pace and spin.
- Devon Conway: An aggressive batsman, capable of playing impactful innings at the top.
- Kane Williamson (c): The experienced captain and batting mainstay, known for his calm demeanor and tactical acumen.
- Rachin Ravindra: An emerging talent, recently showcasing his ability to play match-defining innings.
- Tom Latham (wk): The wicketkeeper-batsman, providing stability in the middle
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