Dubai’s scorching conditions and sluggish pitch will test both teams in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, with spin expected to play a decisive role.
March 9, 2025: Dubai:
As India and New Zealand prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Stadium, the weather and pitch conditions are set to play a critical role in shaping the contest. With temperatures expected to reach 32°C, the scorching heat will test both teams, particularly in the afternoon.
Captains will face a tough decision at the toss. While chasing has been the preferred strategy, the lack of significant dew means that batting first may not be a disadvantage—provided the team can post a competitive total on a spin-friendly track.
Pitch Report: Spinners To Dominate
The Dubai pitch has consistently assisted spinners throughout the tournament, making stroke play difficult once the ball softens. The Powerplay will be the best time to bat, with the ball coming onto the bat nicely, but as the innings progresses, scoring will become tougher. Teams that manage early aggression and middle-over consolidation will likely have the upper hand.
India, unbeaten in the tournament, already defeated New Zealand in the group stage at this venue. However, New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, has a history of troubling India in ICC knockout matches, and their dominant semifinal victory over South Africa will give them confidence.
Key Players To Watch:
- India:
- Varun Chakaravarthy – The mystery spinner rattled New Zealand’s batting in their last meeting and will be crucial in the middle overs.
- Rohit Sharma – India’s captain will need to provide a solid start. While he impressed against Bangladesh, he has struggled for runs in recent matches.
- New Zealand:
- Mitchell Santner – His left-arm spin dismantled South Africa in the semifinal, and he could be India’s biggest challenge in the middle overs.
- Top Order Stability – New Zealand’s batters will need to counter India’s spin-heavy attack, especially after struggling against Chakaravarthy previously.
With spin expected to dictate terms, both teams must adapt quickly to the surface. The team that navigates the slow, turning pitch better will likely emerge as the Champions Trophy 2025 winner.
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