Ahead of the Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday, we take a look at what the experts including Ravi Shastri, Wasim Akram, Suresh Raina and R Ashwin are saying as far as the winner of the ninth edition of the ‘Mini World Cup’ is concerned.
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Just one match is all that remains in the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, with
India set to face New Zealand in the final in Dubai on Sunday. India and New Zealand have been the two standout teams in this tournament – the Men in Blue winning all the four matches that they have played so far – and it’s only fitting that they will be battling it out for the glittering trophy on Sunday.
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Rohit Sharma’s mean had triumphed over the Kiwis in a classic low-scoring ODI last Sunday, bowling them out for 205 after setting them 250 to win. New Zealand, meanwhile, would bounce back from that defeat with a clinical display against South Africa in the second semi-final in Lahore, collecting their third win in four outings in this tournament.
India have lifted the trophy twice in the past and will be aiming to become the most successful team in Champions Trophy history by winning a third title, thereby moving past Australia who have also won the tournament twice. The Black Caps, on the other hand, will be seeking inspiration from their
triumph against the same team in the final of the same tournament 25 years ago – back when it was known as the ICC KnockOut.
What experts are saying about IND vs NZ final
Several experts are leaning towards India when asked to pick a favourite for Sunday’s final. Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram, however,
cautioned that the Men in Blue aren’t outright favourites for the upcoming contest, and that it’s more of a 60-40 ratio leaning in their favour.
Former India batter Ajay Jadeja, on the other hand, believed that New Zealand are the only team in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy capable of snapping India’s winning run, and they might just end up doing it in the most important match of them all.
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“It won’t easy for India. India will be favourites but not by a huge margin. It won’t be 70-30 in India’s favour. It will be much like 60-40 because New Zealand have played in Dubai,” Akram said on the DP World Dressing Room show on Ten Sports.
“I feel if there’s a team that can beat India, it’s New Zealand. They have more bases covered (than South Africa). Their batting, forget (Glenn) Phillips, Rachin and Williamson play spin well. In these conditions if there’s a team that can challenge India, it’s New Zealand. There’s no doubt about it,” Jadeja said in the same show.
‘India start as favourites but only just’: Shastri
Former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri and popular commentator Ravi Shastri made a similar claim regarding the threat that the Kiwis pose for India.
“If there’s one team that can beat India, it’s New Zealand. So India start as favourites but only just,” Shastri was quoted as saying by ICC.
Recently-retired spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin admitted he was not having the “greatest of feelings ahead of India’s final against New Zealand.
“I still have I am having nerves. I am not having the greatest of feelings. After New Zealand’s win against South Africa, I am feeling, ‘Once again can they hurt us, ‘” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
‘Champions Trophy will come to India’: Raina
Meanwhile, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh is of the opinion that Men in Blue will field four spinners on a sluggish Dubai pitch and hopes his team wins the trophy.
“I think India will go with four spinners, and I don’t think there will be any change in the team. I hope that the result will also be the same,” Harbhajan told ANI.
Legendary batter Suresh Raina also wants India to play the same playing XI from the semi-final and is confident they will win the final
“The trophy will come to India. I think Rohit has led the team well. I think Shubman is going to do well tomorrow. The toss will be crucial. India should play with the same playing XI,” Raina told ANI.
Sunday’s final will be taking place at 2.30 pm IST ( 1 pm local time), with toss taking place half-an-hour earlier.