Champions Trophy: Five Key Battles That Could Decide The India-New Zealand Final

March 9, 2025: The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand at Dubai promises to be an intense showdown, evoking memories of their epic clash 25 years ago. With both teams boasting an impressive lineup, this final is set to be a cinematic spectacle where key matchups will play a crucial role in deciding the outcome of the match.

1. The Presence or Absence of Matt Henry

New Zealand’s pace spearhead, Matt Henry, has been a standout performer with 10 wickets in the tournament so far at an average of 16.70, including a five-wicket haul. Henry has caused trouble for India in previous encounters, notably during the 2019 World Cup semifinal, where he dismissed key players like KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma. His absence due to a shoulder injury sustained in the semifinals would leave the Kiwis with capable replacements like Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke, though Henry’s experience and ability to strike early will be missed. If Henry is fit, India’s top order will need to contend with his precision and pace.

2. India’s Middle Order vs Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell

New Zealand’s spinners, Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell, have been effective in the competition, taking crucial wickets. Santner’s spin has troubled India before, with his ability to dismiss top-order batsmen such as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. Bracewell, too, has flown under the radar with his consistent wicket-taking ability. How the Indian middle order, including the likes of Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul, navigates through this spin threat will be pivotal. Santner and Bracewell will look to exploit India’s weakness against spin and impose pressure on the middle order.

3. Rachin Ravindra vs India

Rachin Ravindra, who has been in exceptional form with two centuries in this tournament, will look to make an impact once again. Although India managed to dismiss him cheaply in their previous encounter, Ravindra’s ability to play spin and dominate opposition bowling attacks cannot be underestimated. Ravindra’s solid record against spin (scoring 489 runs at a strike rate above 112) will be a key asset for the Kiwis as they look to counter India’s potent spinners.

4. Indian Spinners vs Kiwi Batters

India’s spin attack is one of their biggest weapons. Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav will be crucial in this final. In the last encounter between the two sides, Chakravarthy’s brilliant spell of 5/42 helped India choke the Kiwis in the middle overs. New Zealand’s batting, led by the likes of Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, will need to counter India’s spinners carefully, especially given India’s ability to create a spin choke. How the Kiwis handle India’s spinners could determine the fate of their innings.

5. Fitness and Fielding in the Heat

The temperature during the final is expected to reach 34°C, adding an extra layer of challenge for both teams. With India and New Zealand both having fit and agile players, the ability to cope with the intense heat while fielding and rotating strike will be crucial. Any cramping or fatigue could swing the momentum in favor of the opposition, and both sides will have to be at their fittest to handle the physical demands of this high-stakes encounter.

Conclusion:
The final promises to be an action-packed contest, with key individual battles that will determine the outcome. Whether it’s Matt Henry’s ability to silence India’s top order, Santner and Bracewell’s challenge to India’s middle order, Ravindra’s spin mastery, or India’s spinners attempting to choke the Kiwi batting, every battle will have a significant impact. Additionally, the heat and fitness levels of both teams will add a new dimension to the match. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final is poised to be a thrilling encounter that will decide not only the tournament winner but also the future narratives of many stars on both sides.

Squads:

India Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rishabh Pant

New Zealand Squad: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke, Nathan Smith, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy