Dubai, March 8 – The Indian cricket team, which has successfully kept its critics at bay throughout the tournament, is now just one step away from claiming the Champions Trophy after a gap of 12 years. However, to secure victory against a formidable New Zealand side in the final on Sunday, India must not only overcome a historically challenging opponent but also avoid being emotionally swayed by the legacies of veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
As per agency reports, New Zealand has always posed a stiff challenge for India in ICC tournaments. The Kiwis hold a superior head-to-head record of 10-6 against India in global events, having won three out of the four knockout encounters between the two sides. While some have criticized India for gaining an unfair advantage by playing all their matches in Dubai, this argument seems less convincing now since New Zealand has also played at the same venue.
India’s confidence has been bolstered by the dominance of its spin attack on the relatively slow Dubai International Cricket Stadium pitch. The team is expected to maintain its combination of four spinners and two pacers. Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy have been key in unsettling opposition batters, while the duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel has played a crucial role in maintaining tight lines, forcing rash shots from opponents. If the final is played on the same surface that hosted the India-Pakistan clash earlier in the tournament, the Indian spin quartet could prove to be a nightmare for New Zealand.
For the Kiwis, much will depend on their seasoned batsmen, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra, who have shown their ability to handle spin effectively. New Zealand also possesses a strong spin arsenal with captain Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips, all of whom could trouble India’s batting lineup. During their last Test series against India, New Zealand’s spinners significantly impacted the games, and they will be aiming to replicate that performance in their quest for a major ICC trophy. New Zealand’s only ICC knockout triumph came in 2000 when they defeated India in the final of the Champions Trophy, and they will be eager to end their 25-year-long title drought.
On the other hand, India, having recently won the T20 World Cup, will be determined to prevent history from repeating itself. Much of the responsibility will rest on the shoulders of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, whose illustrious careers are gradually approaching their final chapters. It remains uncertain whether this will be their last ICC tournament, but if it is, both stalwarts would undoubtedly want to bow out with a major title.
Rohit, who has often been content with quick-fire 20s and 30s in recent matches, will need to alter his approach and aim for a longer stay at the crease. His ability to anchor the innings will reduce the pressure on the middle order. The absence of New Zealand’s Matt Henry due to injury is expected to be a relief for him, as the Kiwi pacer has troubled him in past encounters.
While Rohit will be expected to step up, Kohli has already demonstrated his class with a century and two half-centuries in his last five innings. Alongside them, the likes of Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya will be expected to contribute effectively. Both Gill and Iyer have shown glimpses of brilliance, while Rahul and Pandya played crucial roles in India's semi-final win against Australia.
As India prepares for the final, the team must deliver as a cohesive unit. After all, the Arabian Peninsula has been known for its fairy-tale endings, and the Men in Blue will be hoping to script one of their own.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Jacob Duffy.
The match is scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM local time.
