ICC Champions Trophy 2025: IND vs NZ Final – Preview, Prediction, Pitch Report and Lineups

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: IND vs NZ Final – Preview, Prediction, Pitch Report and Lineups

IND vs NZ Final: The stage is set for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final as India and New Zealand lock horns in Dubai. Two of the most consistent teams in ICC events, both sides have proven their mettle on the biggest stage time and again. India, fueled by a billion dreams, aims to reclaim their ODI dominance, while New Zealand, the silent giants, seek to break their white-ball ICC trophy drought. With both teams coming off dominant semifinal wins, this final promises a tactical battle of skill, patience, and determination.

Match Details

Match: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 – Final
Venue: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai
Time: 14:30 IST
India vs New Zealand

India vs New Zealand: Head-to-Head in ODIs

  • Total ODIs Played: 119
  • India Wins: 61
  • New Zealand Wins: 50
  • Tied: 1
  • No Result: 7
  • India Win Percentage: 54.46%
  • New Zealand Win Percentage: 44.64%

While India holds the edge in overall head-to-head numbers, New Zealand has been a tough opponent in ICC events, including victories in the 2000 Champions Trophy Final and the 2021 World Test Championship Final—both against India.

Last 5 ODI Meetings

Date Winner Margin Venue
March 2, 2025 India 44 runs Dubai
November 15, 2023 India 70 runs Wankhede
October 22, 2023 India 4 wickets Dharamsala
January 24, 2023 India 90 runs Indore
January 21, 2023 India 8 wickets Raipur

 

Dubai International Cricket Stadium – ODI Pitch Report

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with a seating capacity of 25,000, has been a key venue for international cricket since 2009, hosting 59 ODIs to date. The pitch offers a balanced contest, with early assistance for seamers, a batting-friendly middle phase, and some turn for spinners later in the innings. However, dew in night matches often favors teams chasing.

Pitch Characteristics

  • Early Overs: Fast bowlers get movement, making batting tricky in the powerplay.
  • Middle Overs: The surface flattens out, allowing batters to settle in. Spinners find some turn.
  • Dew Factor: Evening matches see increased dew, making gripping difficult for spinners and helping teams chasing.

ODI Statistics at Dubai (Last 10 Matches)

  • Average Score: 222
  • Average Wickets per Innings: 8
  • Highest Score Set: 314/3 – Pakistan U-19 vs UAE U-19 (Dec 2, 2024)
  • Highest Successful Chase: 267/6 – India vs Australia (Mar 4, 2025)
  • Highest Score Defended: 314/3 – Pakistan U-19 vs UAE U-19 (Dec 2, 2024)

1st vs 2nd Innings Comparison (Last 10 ODIs)

Metric 1st Innings 2nd Innings
Average Score 222 187
Average Fours 8 10
Average Sixes 2 1
Average Wickets Lost 8 7
Batting Fantasy Points 153 131
Bowling Fantasy Points 129 139
Pace Fantasy Points 23 57
Spin Fantasy Points 19 39

Notable Records at Dubai

  • Highest Team Total: 355/5 – England vs Pakistan (Nov 20, 2015)
  • Lowest Team Total: 91 all out – Namibia vs UAE (Feb 23, 2023)
  • Highest Individual Score: Mushfiqur Rahim – 144 (Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, Sep 15, 2018)
  • Best Bowling Figures: Shahid Afridi – 6/38 (Pakistan vs Australia, Apr 22, 2009)

Tactical Considerations

  • Toss Factor: Teams prefer to chase due to dew affecting bowlers in the second innings.
  • Competitive Total: A 250+ first-innings score is par, while 280+ is highly competitive.
  • Bowling Impact: Fast bowlers dominate early, while spinners play a key role in the middle overs.

     

    IND vs NZ Final Lineup

     

India

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.

New Zealand

Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke.

 

Probable Best Player IND vs NZ Final

India

Best Batter – Virat Kohli

The ultimate big-match player, Virat Kohli thrives under pressure and has a stellar record in ICC tournaments. With his ability to anchor an innings and accelerate when needed, Kohli will be India’s key batter in the final. He is also closing in on becoming the highest run-scorer in Champions Trophy history, making this match even more significant for him.

Best Bowler – Mohammed Shami

India’s pace spearhead, Mohammed Shami, has been lethal in ICC tournaments. His ability to strike with the new ball and deliver in the death overs makes him a major threat to New Zealand’s batting lineup. With the Dubai pitch offering some assistance to seamers early on, Shami will be crucial in dismantling the Kiwi top order.

New Zealand

Best Batter – Rachin Ravindra

New Zealand’s breakout star, Rachin Ravindra, has been in phenomenal form, consistently delivering match-winning knocks. His ability to adapt to different conditions and play both attacking and composed innings makes him New Zealand’s most dangerous batter in this final.

Best Bowler – Matt Henry

New Zealand’s most effective pacer in this tournament, Matt Henry, has been leading the wicket-taking charts. His accuracy, movement with the new ball, and ability to break partnerships make him a key figure in New Zealand’s bowling attack. If he can strike early, it could set the tone for the Black Caps.

Prediction IND vs NZ Final

Scenario 1: India Batting First

  • Projected Score: 270-300 runs
  • Reasoning: India’s top order, led by Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, will need to navigate the early swing and seam movement from Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson. With the pitch easing out in the middle overs, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer will be key in stabilizing the innings. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will look to accelerate in the final overs.
  • Threats: New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack, particularly Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra, could trouble India’s middle order if early wickets fall. The dew factor may also make defending a target tricky.

Scenario 2: New Zealand Batting First

  • Projected Score: 250-280 runs
  • Reasoning: New Zealand’s batting depends heavily on Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, with Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham providing middle-order stability. However, India’s spinners—Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel—could make scoring tough during the middle overs.
  • Threats: India’s new-ball attack, featuring Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya, will test New Zealand’s top order, especially Will Young and Glenn Phillips, who have been vulnerable to early swing. If India picks up quick wickets, New Zealand could struggle to post a strong total.

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