India vs New Zealand is gearing up for an epic showdown in the Champions Trophy 2025 Final on March 9 at the famed Dubai International Stadium. The match is a high-value one as it witnesses these two cricketing giants meet in the final after a gap of 24 years. Whenever these two last clashed in a final setting was in 2000 when New Zealand won. India has vowed to change that fact and claim the title.
India’s Playing XI: A Powerhouse of Talent
India’s squad is a perfect blend of experience and youth, with some of the biggest names in cricket ready to take the field:
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- Axar Patel
- KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Mohammed Shami
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakravarthy
This lineup boasts explosive batsmen, versatile all-rounders, and lethal bowlers, making India a formidable opponent.
New Zealand’s Setback: Matt Henry Ruled Out
New Zealand has suffered a significant blow ahead of the final, with Matt Henry being ruled out due to injury. Henry’s absence is a major setback for the Kiwis, as he has been a key player in their campaign. Despite this, New Zealand has reshuffled their lineup and is ready to put up a tough fight.
New Zealand’s Probable Playing XI:
- Mitchell Santner (Captain)
- Will Young
- Rachin Ravindra
- Kane Williamson
- Daryl Mitchell
- Glenn Phillips
- Tom Latham
- Michael Bracewell
- Kyle Jamieson
- Will O’Rourke
- Jacob Duffy
Toss Update: New Zealand Opts to Bat First
In a crucial toss decision, New Zealand has chosen to bat first. This means Team India will have the opportunity to bowl under the floodlights, a scenario that could play to their advantage given the pitch conditions.
What Will Be the Pitch Report?
It is a balanced pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium that assists batsmen and bowlers alike. While batting with the new ball is a treat, the spinners seem to control the run flow during the middle overs. Chasing under the flood-lights can prove to be tricky since the pitch tends to slow down, making things very difficult for the batsmen.
