It’s settled, the final of the ICC Champions Trophy is to be played on the 9th of March, in Dubai and will see India face off against New Zealand in a Group A rematch. Both sides have arguably been the best sides of the eight. India winning all four of their games, and New Zealand losing the one game. To India interestingly enough, so it is an opportunity for the Blackcaps to get a little bit of revenge and a trophy in the process. For India, a chance to win a second tournament in a row after winning the T20 World Cup last year.
India have had it pretty much all their own way in the tournament, winning all the games, but there was some vulnerability against both Australia in the semi final and New Zealand in the group stage. Their first meeting saw their three top order batsmen dismissed quickly, until Shreayas Iyer and Axar Patel steadied the ship and made a good total before bowling the Kiwis out for 205. Against Australia while their bowling was quality, they were made to work for the win with the bat, but did it in the end, with Virat Kohli leading the charge. Can they do it again?
New Zealand have shown a good improvement under Mitchell Santner since he took over the captaincy, his bowling has been superb as well, Matt Henry has picked up his fair share of wickets as he comes into his own. Kane Williamson has been good this tournament, so a lot of positives to take out for them. But once again going to Dubai and the travel will take a lot out of them, but they have the quality to win. They showed that in their win over South Africa which in the end proved to be very impressive. Can New Zealand finally get that trophy they have been looking for since 2000?
It will be a fascinating game on Sunday, with so many stories still to play out as we come to the end of the Champions Trophy 2025 tournament.