 "Champions Trophy final: How Team India can cause yet another ICC event heartbreak for New Zealand")
India have been the team to beat in the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, having collected four wins in as many outings. And they have maintained a 100 per cent run in the ongoing tournament despite the absence of key players such as Jasprit Bumrah, who had been ruled out due to a back injury.
Rohit Sharma’s men face one final hurdle in their quest for a second ICC title in as many years and a third Champions Trophy triumph – which will make them the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
Champions Trophy 2025: News | Schedule | Results
Standing between them and the glittering trophy is New Zealand , a team that they had defeated last Sunday by 44 runs in a low-scoring encounter in Dubai, but are the team most capable of ending their winning streak and inflicting yet another heart-break in an ICC event.
We have already analysed the ways the Black Caps can hurt India's cause in the final. It’s time we look at how the Men in Blue can avenge their defeat in the final of the 2000 edition against the same team come Sunday.
The Virat Kohli factor
His struggles in the Test series against the same team and the subsequent tour of Australia appear long-forgotten at the moment. Virat Kohli is in red-hot form at the moment, having starred in the run chases against Pakistan and Australia, and will be one of the key points discussed in New Zealand’s team meetings ahead of Sunday’s big final.
And his penchant for run chases, Kiwi skipper Mitchell Santner might just be inclined towards inviting them to bat once again. Even then, the kind of form that he is in at the moment, Kohli certainly will be one to watch out for.
A solid middle order
The New Zealand attack did succeed in getting rid of the Indian top order in quick time, reducing the Men in Blue to 30/3 inside the powerplay thanks to some disciplined bowling and some outrageous fielding. Despite the early collapse, India were able to post a total of 249/9 on the board, which would prove more than handy as the game progressed.
It’s not just Kohli and opener Shubman Gill who are in form; so is Shreyas Iyer. And his contributions, including his patient 79 against the Black Caps last Sunday, might not create the kind of buzz that a Kohli century does, but it is worth its weight in gold nevertheless. Let’s not forget the handy contributions of Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul – who had finished the game against Australia on Tuesday.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsA well-rounded spin department
While the middle order had come to India’s rescue and lifted them to a competitive total, it was the spin department that ultimately weaved a web around the Kiwi batters and ensured they barely got room to breathe, making the 250-run target appear that much more difficult.
Leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy was the toast of the Indian bowling department’s clinical performance with his haul of 5/42 that landed him the Player of the Match award. However, it was every bit a collective effort from the four-prong spin attack – comprising spin-bowling all-rounders Axar and Ravindra Jadeja and left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav – that helped India complete a hat-trick of wins in the group stage.
The Kiwis have capable spinners in their ranks, including and especially captain Santner. India, though, can claim the upper hand when it comes to comparing the two spin attacks.
Better adaptability to conditions
India’s advantage of playing all of their matches in Dubai has been among the most hotly-discussed topics in the Champions Trophy, to the point where nearly every player and support staff member – whether they’re part of the Indian team or not – is being asked for their opinion on the same.
Also Read | India vs New Zealand's head-to-head record ahead of Champions Trophy final
Fact of the matter is that while India will have been better rested compared to other teams, it’s ultimately their superior planning and execution that has resulted in their clinical run. The Men in Blue, after all, were the standout team in the 2023 ICC World Cup and last year’s T20 World Cup as well, despite their hectic travel schedule .
However, staying put in one city and playing all of their games at the same venue does give them an advantage over the Kiwis, who have played at three Pakistani venues in the ongoing tournament in addition to their match against India in Dubai. And in crunch games such as these, even the slightest advantage matters.
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