Poonam Nath

Champions Trophy 2025 Final, Ind vs NZ: The final Showdown between the Indian and Kiwis

Digital Desk: India to face off with the toughest rivalry New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday in an attempt to extend their winning streak. The Kiwis will want to get some retribution after the Men in Blue ended their own unbeaten run.

With a century from Virat Kohli, India easily defeated Australia in the semifinal, overcoming one of their most difficult challenges in the ICC tournament knockout stages.

Contrary to this, New Zealand defeated South Africa in the second semifinal, scoring the best team total in Champions Trophy history.

Are you ready for the #ChampionsTrophy 2025 final? ????

Match details ➡️ https://t.co/NHbnqbFDpt pic.twitter.com/qDAnau7KC4

— ICC (@ICC) March 8, 2025

Coming to the Indian team, Kuldeep Yadav's poor performance in the Champions Trophy, particularly in the previous two games, India may have chosen to replace him with Arshdeep Singh or Harshit Rana, two more pacers.

However, given their experience with the circumstances and Yadav's track record of winning matches, the Rohit Sharma-led team will unlikely alter a winning starting lineup.

Despite having a shoulder ache, pacer Matt Henry may still be available for New Zealand, however, captain Mitchell Santner hasn't ruled him out entirely. Given that the bowler is reportedly recuperating well, NZ may decide to select Henry. Nathan Smith or Jacob Duffy are waiting in the wings for New Zealand if he is still unable to make it.

PLAYING XI

India- Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Varun Chakaravarthy

New Zealand- Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham(wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke, Matt Henry/Nathan Smith