Champions Trophy 2025: India Poised for Glory as They Face Blackcaps in Dubai
Indian cricket team is going full steam ahead as they prepare for the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium. For all their misfortune with four successive tosses being lost, Rohit Sharma's team has been unbeatable in terms of form, winning matches while defending as well as chasing, preparing for an edge-of-the-seat title clash.
India’s journey to the final has been a testament to their strength across all departments. Their dynamic batting lineup has been led by Shubman Gill’s consistency and Virat Kohli’s brilliance, including an unbeaten century against Pakistan and a crucial 84-run knock in the semi-final against Australia. While Rohit Sharma hasn’t posted massive scores, his aggressive intent has provided India with fiery starts. Shreyas Iyer has excelled on Dubai’s slow, low pitches, and late-order firepower from KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel has ensured strong finishes.
India’s bowling attack has been equally potent, with Mohammed Shami’s pace and Varun Chakaravarthy’s spin proving lethal. Their combined efforts have helped India conquer tough opponents, adding confidence ahead of the final against a formidable New Zealand side.
But India is wary. The past is in the Blackcaps' favor in ICC knockout meetings they beat India in the 2021 World Test Championship final, the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final, and the 2000 Champions Trophy final. New Zealand's team, led by captain Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson, and on-song Rachin Ravindra, is ready to take on India, with the added boost of having had previous experience playing in Dubai.
Despite the looming threat, this final presents a golden opportunity for India. A victory would end their decade-long wait for a Champions Trophy title, last claimed in 2013. It would also mark another feather in Rohit Sharma’s cap as a captain, following last year’s T20 World Cup win. For head coach Gautam Gambhir, it would be a landmark achievement, cementing his credentials with a major ICC title.
However, the challenge is still there. If the final is staged on a tired pitch, New Zealand's spin quartet of Santner, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra can be problematic for India's batters, maybe turning the match in the Blackcaps' favor.
For India, the game is on literally. A victory would not just win them the much-desired trophy but also announce a side well-set to make it big in the 2027 ODI World Cup. With form, talent, and an acrid desire to triumph, India is one victory away from snapping their ICC championship drought and penning a fresh page in their cricketing history.
