 "Champions Trophy Final: How India can achieve the perfect revenge in cricket history")
One of the most significant humiliations India have endured in recent memory, apart from the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia, was the whitewash in the Test series against New Zealand on home soil last year. The Kiwis secured a historic 3-0 sweep, becoming the first team since 2012 to achieve such a feat in India.
Champions Trophy 2025: News | Schedule | Results
This crushing defeat not only ended India’s dominance in home Tests but also cost them a third consecutive spot in the World Test Championship final, adding to the heartbreak of their 2021 WTC final loss to New Zealand.
India seek payback for past ICC heartbreaks
Now is the perfect opportunity for India to seek revenge in the blockbuster Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday, 9 March. The stage is set for both teams to showcase which is the better side and assert their dominance after an exceptional campaign in the tournament. Played in a hybrid model across Pakistan and the UAE, the Champions Trophy has witnessed both sides produce phenomenal cricket on their way to the summit clash.
New Zealand and India were arguably the most balanced teams in the competition. While New Zealand played all their matches, except for the final group-stage clash against India, in Pakistan, the Men in Blue never left the comfort of a single venue in Dubai, let alone the country.
Yet, New Zealand have been India’s biggest nemesis in ICC tournament knockout games. India, however, now have a chance to turn the tables and deny the Kiwis their elusive white-ball ICC trophy.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsNew Zealand’s history in ICC tournaments has been marked by near-misses. Their last white-ball ICC title came in the Champions Trophy 2000, when they defeated India in the final, then known as the ICC KnockOut Trophy. That remains another debt to settle. Despite their long-standing frustration at not winning an ICC trophy, New Zealand have consistently been a formidable opponent, especially against India.
They finished as runners-up in the 2015 and 2019 Cricket World Cups. Notably, they defeated India in the 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final to reach the final, a sore point that India are yet to avenge. Additionally, New Zealand finished as runners-up in the 2021 T20 World Cup, where they knocked India out in the Super 12 stage after both teams suffered losses to Pakistan in their previous games and were in must-win situations.
Most of the players from New Zealand’s current squad have significant experience playing against India, and they’ve built a strong record in ICC knockout matches. Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner are the kind of players India will be wary of in the final. Not only do they have experience playing against India, but they have also, for many year,s shared the field with several Indian players in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Additionally, having recently played against India in Dubai, they have some understanding of the conditions and will likely make crucial adjustments for the Champions Trophy 2025 final.
India’s veterans eye a perfect farewell
However, India now have an opportunity to rewrite this rivalry in their favour, particularly by denying New Zealand their first white-ball ICC trophy in over two decades. With a formidable squad featuring several in-form players, India will be eager to claim the title and break the ICC title jinx in ODI tournaments. The last time they won an ICC ODI tournament was the 2013 Champions Trophy.
And this Indian team truly deserves to win, given their remarkable track record over the past few years. This marks the third consecutive ICC tournament where they have reached the final without losing a single game in the qualifying rounds.
Legends like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Shami may very well be playing their last ICC 50-over tournament, and their consistent performances over the years have been a key in India’s success. Beyond the revenge, securing the title would be a fitting tribute to these stalwarts and their contributions to Indian cricket.
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