WHO: India vs New Zealand
Contents: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final
When: Sunday 1pm (09:00 GMT)
Location: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
After 14 matches and 18 days, the Elite One Day International (ODI) men’s competition, consisting of the world’s top eight teams, led to a battle between the top two candidates.
India and New Zealand will hold the tournament at the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on Sunday.
Here’s everything you need to know about the big showdown:
Why is Dubai hosting the Champions Trophy Final?
In the months before the Champions Trophy, the ICC was in the midst of a deadlock between the Pakistan Cricket Committee (PCB) and the Indian Cricket Control Committee (BCCI).
The BCCI said it would not send a team to Pakistan, and the reasons for this were not publicly shared, but it was understood that political tensions between the two countries were the cause. Meanwhile, PCB had given up on hosting all the games in Pakistan.
Less than two months later, it was decided that teams from neighboring countries would play matches in neutral venues in all ICC tournaments until 2031, when both sides met along the way and were hosted in either country.
Pakistan has chosen to hold Indian matches, including the final in Dubai.
What was the path to India’s final?
They won Bangladesh by six wickets in Dubai, defeating Pakistan with 44 runs and in New Zealand with 444 runs in Dubai.
What was your route to the New Zealand final?
Bangladesh’s five-wicket victory at Rawalpindi with 44 runs, beating Pakistan 60 times in Karachi and South Africa in Lahore by 50 runs
🇮🇳🇮🇳🆚 # #championstrophy 2025 final🤩
Dubai📍pic.twitter.com/md112fdoih– ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2025
Who are you watching in the final?
Virat Kohli (India): Indian batting is undoubtedly the best batting ever in ODI, rediscovering the form of his run scoring in the tournament. In addition to his unparalleled record at Run Chases, Kohli has a healthy average when playing against New Zealand in ODIS. 32 matches against the Black Cap gave us a 6th century and a half century of nine, with an average of 57.1. Kohli managed 11 runs in a Group A meeting between the two sides, but the 36-year-old is known to save his best for the biggest game. Shubman Gill (India): The world’s top rated ODI batter started the tournament in the century when he won a match in Bangladesh. Gill only added 57 runs in the next three games, but the opener will be key to India’s innings in the final. His average 74th and 2nd centuries in 11 matches against New Zealand has made him a player to watch in the finals. Varun Chakravarthy (India): Legbreak bowler’s return to the Indian side has corrected the opposition batsman. Chakravarthy made his Champions Trophy debut in a group game against New Zealand. There he won five wickets to win the Match of the Match Award. The spinner variation perfectly suits India’s needs with a relatively slow Dubai pitch. Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Williamson is considered one of the greats of modern cricket batting, and his never-betrayed hunger for his run in big tournaments makes him stand out in every competition. The former Kiwi captain is the top scorer for his team in a group match against India, and his teammates hope that on Sunday he can add against India in his first century and the 115s. Matt Henry (New Zealand): Pacer is the main wicket taker of the tournament, but after being injured during fielding in the semi-finals, his participation in the final depends on balance. Henry was suffering from Indians in group matches. If he plays in the finals, he will once again be the main threat of the Black Cap. Mitchell Santner (New Zealand): The New Zealand captain is one of the world’s top all-arounds in ODIS, and his left arm spin is important on Dubai’s spin-friendly track. Suntner is a low-order, capable fabric and has the ability to hit large shots when needed.
What are the matchups of the key players in the final?
Gill vs Henry: World-leading batter vs tournament major bowlers. Henry is responsible for locking Gill in a locked delivery early in the group’s match, and if Gill is rejected cheaply again, it could cause further problems in the final. Kohli vs Santner: Kohli rarely dumped wickets after settling on the top of the order, but the ODIS Indian major century maker is susceptible to the effects of left arm spin bowling. Santner’s vague bowling and Kohli’s patient batting could prove a fascinating battle in the final. Williamson vs. Mohammed Shami: The return of Indian Pacer after a long-term injury layoff was almost completely unfolding as he scored eight wickets in four matches. India relies on Shami’s experience to undo Williamson, who rarely offers the weaknesses of the big game. Rachin Ravindra vs Hardik Pandya: The rising star of world cricket with Indian roots averages 75 in tournaments and was rejected cheaply in group matches, but Ravindra continues to draw the threat.
What is the weather forecast for the finals in Dubai?
The final will take place on a bright, sunny day in Dubai on Sunday with rain potential and light wind forecasts.
Temperatures are expected to close at around 34 degrees Celsius (93.2 degrees Fahrenheit) and drop to 28c (82.4f) in the evening.
How will Dubai pitch play in the final?
All Indian hosting in Dubai traveled between Dubai and Pakistan, while also being a key topic of tournaments. The difference in pitch is something New Zealand had to deal with while New Zealand played all the games on a similar pitch in Dubai.
The finals will be played on a new pitch. However, given past results, we expect this to be even slower.
What are the prize money for the Champions Trophy Final?
The tournament’s total prize money was $6.9 million, an increase of 53% since the last edition of 2017.
The champions leave at $22.4 million, while the runner-up wins at $1.12 billion.
What is the head-to-head record of India vs New Zealand?
Since 1975, 119 matches have been played among the finalists. India has the edge with 61 wins, in contrast to New Zealand’s 50.
While one match was tied, seven games ended in a consequence.
India has been on a six-match ODI winning streak against the Black Caps since January 2023.
What are the Indian and New Zealand records in the Champions Trophy?
New Zealand won the second edition tournament in 2000, but remains the only boys title in the ICC. Meanwhile, India won twice in 2002 and 2013.
Form Guide: India
India, the only undefeated team in the tournament, will take part in the finals in the background of four victories.
Before the Champions Trophy, India wiped out a three-match series against England at home.
The last 5 ODIs (latest first): wwwww
Form Guide: New Zealand
The 2000 edition of the champion won all group games in the tournament and reached the finals in a rich way.
Shortly before the Champions Trophy, New Zealand won a three-country series in Pakistan.
Their final home ODI series saw them defeat Sri Lanka 2-1.
The last 5 ODIs (latest first): wlwww
What news about the early Indian team?
It’s hard to see India transform the XI, which brought a 44-run victory over New Zealand and a four-wicket victory in Australia in the semi-finals.
The introduction of Chakravarthy was rewarded with seven wickets in two games. That means he will maintain his place and Harshitlana will be in the final.
Squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice captain), Virat Kohli, Shreiyas Ayer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Aqua Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaspuri Bumra, Mohamed Sham (Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy
What news about the early New Zealand team?
New Zealand was slightly scared in the semi-finals, where Henry appears to have injured his shoulder while he jumped into the field. The New Zealand camp hopes that key high-speed bowlers will be declared suitable for the finals. If Henry is allowed to play, the Black Cap is also expected to remain the same.
Squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Blaiswell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Rocky Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Raychin Rabindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson,
How do I follow and stream the Champions Trophy Final?
Follow Al Jazeera Sport’s live text and photo commentary stream from 04:00 GMT.
The final will be televised and streamed globally on ICC approved tournament stations.
Where and how can I buy tickets for the Champions Trophy Final?
Tickets for the final went on sale Tuesday evening when Indian qualifications were confirmed but sold out quickly on the official ICC ticket platform.
Some tickets are still available on resale platforms with rising prices.
