It is almost certain that close to half of the 100 overs in the Champions Trophy 2025 final on Sunday will be delivered by left-arm spinners.
While India boasts Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, New Zealand will rely on skipper Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra to counterbalance the spin equation. Add the left-arm wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav, and the southpaws could well dominate proceedings.
The Left-Arm Spin Dominance
The presence of world-class left-arm spinners on both sides presents a fascinating strategic battle. India and New Zealand are well aware of how this particular bowling variety impacts their batting linchpins — Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson.
Kohli’s Achilles’ Heel
Despite his glittering ODI career, left-arm orthodox spin has long been a weak spot for Virat Kohli. Since the start of this decade, no other bowling type has maintained a better average and economy rate against him.
New Zealand will look to exploit this vulnerability through their captain, Santner.
– Santner’s economy rate against Kohli in ODIs: 4.16 (best among bowlers who have bowled to Kohli in at least 10 innings)
– However, Santner has dismissed Kohli only three times, meaning Kohli still averages 60.00 against him.
– Their last battle was in the Pune Test, where Santner dismissed Kohli twice.
Kohli’s struggles stem from his inability to find boundary-scoring avenues against left-arm spin.
– Only 7.13% of his runs against left-arm spin have come from boundaries—the lowest against any bowling type.
– Since 2020, this figure has dropped to just 3.99%.
– He heavily relies on the drive to score against left-arm spinners, accumulating 620 of his 1542 runs through drives.
– A preference for straight-bat shots — 45.5% of his runs since 2020 have come in the straight V (between extra cover and midwicket).
– Rarely uses sweeps or slogs — only 27 such shots played in 1752 deliveries faced from left-arm spinners.
Williamson’s Counterpunch
In stark contrast, Kane Williamson has mastered left-arm spin:
– Overall average: 80.27
– Strike rate: 87.51
– Since 2020: 103.00 average, 88.33 strike rate
Unlike Kohli, Williamson prefers to attack left-arm spinners through the off-side:
– 37.3% of his runs since 2020 have come in the off-side V (extra cover to third man).
– Comfortable employing the sweep and flick shots to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Williamson also enjoys a statistical edge over India’s lead left-arm spinner, Ravindra Jadeja:
– ODI average vs Jadeja: 79.50
– However, Axar and Kuldeep have dismissed him twice each in five innings, a factor India will look to exploit.
Who Holds the Edge?
The first ICC knockout clash between Kohli and Williamson dates back to the 2008 Under-19 World Cup semifinal, where Kohli fell to left-arm spinner George Worker, caught by Williamson.
With this final likely being the last ICC knockout appearance for both stalwarts, will history repeat itself? Or will Kohli find a way to neutralise New Zealand’s left-arm spin threat?