New Delhi: The much-awaited final of the Champions Trophy 2025 will witness a thrilling contest between Rohit Sharma-led Team India and Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand. Both teams were in the same group and secured their spots in the final by defeating strong opponents—India triumphed over Australia, while New Zealand knocked out South Africa in the semifinals. The grand finale is set to take place in Dubai, a neutral venue, adding an exciting dimension to the clash.
Head-to-Head Record
India and New Zealand have faced each other in a total of 119 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), with India having the upper hand. Team India has won 61 matches, whereas New Zealand has secured victory in 50 encounters. When it comes to matches played at neutral venues, the competition has been evenly matched. Out of 32 ODIs played on neutral grounds, both teams have won 16 each. With the Champions Trophy 2025 final also being played on a neutral venue, the battle is expected to be intense and evenly poised.
Time, and Venue
The Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand is scheduled for March 9. The match will commence at 2:30 PM IST, with the toss set to take place at 1:55 PM IST.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Dubai International Cricket Stadium is expected to be slow, favoring spinners over fast bowlers. The team that focuses on singles and doubles rather than relying heavily on boundaries will have a better chance of success. Winning the toss and opting to bowl first might be the ideal strategy, as batting in the second innings could be more manageable under the lights. The powerplay overs might offer quick scoring opportunities, but middle-order partnerships will be crucial for posting a competitive total. A first-innings score of 290-300 runs could be a challenging target for the chasing side.
Probable Playing XI for IND vs NZ Final
India’s Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy With both teams evenly matched, the Champions Trophy 2025 final promises to be an exhilarating encounter, with cricket fans worldwide eagerly awaiting this epic showdown