The highly anticipated final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place between India and New Zealand on March 9, 2025, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Both teams have displayed exceptional performances throughout the tournament, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.
In this detailed match preview, we will analyze the match details, probable playing XIs, key players to watch, head-to-head statistics, team form, key battles, pitch conditions, weather forecast, and predictions for this high-stakes encounter.
Match Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs New Zealand |
| Date | March 9, 2025 |
| Time | 3:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium |
| Tournament | ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (Final) |
| Live Stream | Star Sports, Disney+ Hotstar |
Probable Playing XIs
India
| Player Name | Role |
| Rohit Sharma (C) | Captain, Batter |
| Shubman Gill | Vice Captain, Batter |
| Virat Kohli | Batter |
| Shreyas Iyer | Batter |
| KL Rahul | Wicketkeeper, Batter |
| Hardik Pandya | All-rounder |
| Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder |
| Axar Patel | All-rounder |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Bowler |
| Mohammed Shami | Bowler |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler |
New Zealand
| Player Name | Role |
| Will Young | Batter |
| Rachin Ravindra | All-rounder |
| Kane Williamson (C) | Captain, Batter |
| Tom Latham | Wicketkeeper, Batter |
| Daryl Mitchell | All-rounder |
| Glenn Phillips | Batter |
| Michael Bracewell | All-rounder |
| Mitchell Santner | All-rounder |
| Matt Henry | Bowler |
| Kyle Jamieson | Bowler |
| Lockie Ferguson | Bowler |
Key Players to Watch
India
- Virat Kohli – The veteran batter has been in sublime form, anchoring India’s innings with consistency and flair.
- KL Rahul – The wicketkeeper-batter’s ability to play under pressure is vital for India’s middle order.
- Mohammed Shami – India’s pace spearhead can dismantle New Zealand’s top order with his swing and seam movement.
- Hardik Pandya – His all-round abilities, particularly his big-hitting prowess, can turn the game around.
- Ravindra Jadeja – A key asset with the ball, bat, and in the field, Jadeja is crucial for India’s chances.
New Zealand
- Kane Williamson – The experienced captain will be responsible for steadying New Zealand’s innings.
- Matt Henry – A lethal pacer who can provide early breakthroughs.
- Tom Latham – A dependable batsman who has a knack for playing long innings.
- Glenn Phillips – An explosive middle-order batsman capable of accelerating the run rate.
- Rachin Ravindra – His all-round capabilities add depth to the New Zealand squad.
Head-to-Head in ICC Events
| Competition | Matches | India Wins | New Zealand Wins | Draws/NR |
| ICC World Cup | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| ICC Champions Trophy | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| ICC T20 World Cup | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| ICC World Test Championship | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Total | 20 | 6 | 12 | 2 |
New Zealand holds a slight edge over India in ICC knockout matches, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the final.
Road to the Final
India’s Journey
India entered the tournament as favorites and remained unbeaten in the group stages, securing victories against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. In the semi-finals, they outplayed Australia, showcasing their dominance with both bat and ball.
New Zealand’s Journey
New Zealand displayed remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, with crucial wins against England and Bangladesh. Their thrilling semi-final win against South Africa highlighted their resilience under pressure.
Key Battles to Watch
Virat Kohli vs. Matt Henry
Kohli’s ability to tackle Henry’s sharp swing and seam movement could be decisive in determining India’s batting success.
Mohammed Shami vs. Kane Williamson
Shami’s accuracy and pace will be crucial in challenging Williamson’s composure and technique.
Jasprit Bumrah vs. Glenn Phillips
Bumrah’s pinpoint yorkers against Phillips’ aggressive batting will be a key contest in the death overs.
Hardik Pandya vs. Mitchell Santner
Pandya’s power-hitting versus Santner’s disciplined spin bowling will be an exciting battle in the middle overs.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch Report
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium pitch is known to be batting-friendly, with some assistance for spinners as the game progresses. The average first innings score in recent matches has been around 280-300, indicating that a competitive total would be crucial.
Weather Forecast
The weather in Dubai on March 9, 2025, is expected to be hot and dry, with temperatures around 30°C. Dew could play a role in the second innings, favoring the team chasing.
Match Prediction
This final is expected to be a closely contested battle between two well-balanced teams. India’s strong batting lineup and experienced bowling attack give them a slight edge. However, New Zealand’s history of performing well in ICC knockouts cannot be ignored.
Prediction: India 55% – New Zealand 45%
Conclusion
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand promises to be an exhilarating contest between two cricketing powerhouses. With both teams in peak form, the match is set to deliver unforgettable moments for fans worldwide.
Will India claim another ICC title, or will New Zealand continue their dominance in ICC knockouts? We will find out on March 9, 2025!
