Ahead of the mega Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand, former cricketers Wasim Akram and Ajay Jadeja have cautioned the Men in Blue against underestimating their opponents. Check out what Akram and Jadeja said about India vs New Zealand Champions Trophy final.
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Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram and former Indian batter Ajay Jadeja have warned the Indian cricket team to be wary of the threat New Zealand could pose
in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 final. The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final will be played between India and New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (9 March).
Team India is in sensational form, having won all four matches so far in the Champions Trophy 2025, while
New Zealand’s only defeat in the tournament came at the hands of the Men in Blue. The Kiwi also demolished South Africa by 50 runs in the semi-final to reach the final.
Champions Trophy 2025:
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Ahead of the mega final, which will be India’s third consecutive in the Champions Trophy, Wasim Akram has sent a warning to Team India to not take New Zealand lightly.
Akram say India will face difficulties vs New Zealand
The former pacer said that India are the favourites for the Champions Trophy title but not by a big margin because New Zealand have an idea of the Dubai conditions, having played a group match in UAE, and are a competitive side.
“No they will not (get a pitch like Lahore in Dubai) but they have an idea what sort of wicket they are going to get (in Dubai). They will probably prepare much better for that pitch against India,” Akram said on the DP World Dressing Room show.
“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.”
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He also added that New Zealand’s captain Mitchel Santner’s personality has helped in bringing in a calming effect in the New Zealand side.
“As a person Santner and (Kane) Williamson are very calm people and it brings a calming effect. There are clam people and lazy, these guys are calm ones,” Akram added.
Jadeja backs Akram’s claims
Fellow panellist and former India cricketers, Jadeja, added that New Zealand is the only team which can challenge India in Dubai conditions as their batters like Rachin Ravindra and Williamson are good players of spin.
“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.”
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India and Australia are the joint-most successful teams in Champions Trophy history, having won the trophy twice each. With a win on SUnday, India will become the only team to win three Champions Trophies.