DUBAI: New Zealand have won the toss and opted to take the crease first against India in the high-stakes Champions Trophy 2025 final, which is set to begin shortly at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Mitchell Santner’s men were 149/4 by the end of the 34th over.
The Kiwis lost two wickets within less than three overs as Indian bowlers finally struck, dismissing openers Will Young (15) and Rachin Ravindra (37). The batting side had scored the first 50 of the match without any loss until India’s Varun Chakaravarthy made the maiden gain in the 8th over.
Just two overs later, the Black Caps lost the second wicket to Kuldeep Yadav in the 11th over.
The venue is buzzing with excitement as fans prepare to pack the arena for a fierce clash. Today’s game will undoubtedly demand skill and mental resilience, as the Black Caps eye Champions Trophy glory against the Men in Blue, the undisputed favourites.
However, a pivotal question remains: Can New Zealand replicate their historic victory from 25 years ago, when they stunned India to claim the title?
Although Rohit Sharma and Co enter the final as the favourites, armed with a formidable spin attack and a solid batting lineup, Mitchell Santner’s boys boast explosive hitters and strong finishers capable of altering the game’s trajectory.
One crucial factor could be the playing surface, which has seemingly favoured India throughout the tournament.
Additionally, India have enjoyed the luxury of playing all their matches at the same venue, a point of contention raised by Santner.
Such advantage is usually compared with “handicap score” in golf, where certain players start with an edge — except in cricket, no such handicaps should exist.
Despite India’s dominance leading up to the final, an unbeaten run can sometimes be deceptive. Teams rarely go through major tournaments without facing a real test, and the final could be the day India encounters unexpected resistance.
While India’s all-around capabilities make them a formidable force, one chink in their armour could be their fast-bowling unit.
Mohammad Shami has shouldered the burden well, but any slip-up with the new ball could spell trouble. Their lethal spin quartet has masked this weakness so far, but New Zealand could exploit it by aggressively targeting one of the spinners — possibly Kuldeep Yadav, whose left-arm wrist spin can falter under sustained pressure.
The match is expected to be a thrilling, hard-fought encounter. With tactical brilliance, disciplined execution, and a fearless mindset, New Zealand have every chance to script an unforgettable upset.
