India's aim to get the much-deserved silverware
| Date | March 09, 2025 |
| Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Format | ODI |
| Series | ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 |
Betting Odds
Our Predictions
- Shubman Gill has odds of 3.20 to be India's best batsman
- Kane Williamson has odds of 3.20 to be New Zealand's best batsman
- Mohammad Shami has odds of 3.05 to be India's best bowler
- Matt Henry has odds of 4.10 to be New Zealand's best bowler
MATCH PREVIEW
It is the grand finale of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Pre-tournament favorites India will be up against New Zealand in the game as both teams look to add another title to their crown. The Indians overcame a massive challenge from the Australians in the 1st Semifinal and will feel confident having defeated their nemesis in the game. They defeated New Zealand in the group stage and shall take inspiration from that win and start the game with higher odds. The Kiwis will enter this game with their tails up. They decimated the South Africans in the 2nd Semifinal, and the batting lineup is in excellent form. The side enjoys a good record against India in ICC knockout games and aims to end the Indian party. It is a high-stakes battle, and we expect to see a game that will go down the wire with the two teams evenly matched.
India Preview
Rohit Sharma has led a brilliant campaign. It is their third consecutive final in ICC limited over tournaments and shows the team's consistency in the last two years. It was a comprehensive win over the Australians in the semifinal, where they chased the target with 4 wickets in hand. The odds are high for the team on cricket betting sites. However, Sharma and his men would also recall their poor record against New Zealand in big-ticket contests and aim for a clinical performance.
Shubman Gill has missed out on the last two games, and the team expects an electrifying start from him and Rohit Sharma. Virat Kohli looks at his peak after his struggle leading up to the tournament, and he will look to add runs in the middle order with Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel, who have impressed. The batting lineup has depth, and the team expects runs from KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja in the lower middle order.
The four spinners plan has worked for the Indians in the last two games, and they are unlikely to tinker with it. Mohammad Shami is bowling well, and the team will expect Hardik Pandya to do well with the new ball. Varun Chakravarthy has added a new dimension to this attack and will look to do well in the middle overs with Axar Patel. Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja will aim to use the conditions well in the supporting role.
Expected Starting XI for India
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav
New Zealand Preview
Mitchell Santner deserves to be in the finals as much as the Indians. The side defeated the South Africans by 50 runs in their semifinal, where they dominated the game from the start. The batting lineup is in good form, and the bowlers have done their job well. However, their poor record against the Indians reduces their odds on cricket betting apps. Santner would like his team to take inspiration from their excellent record against the Indians in the knockout matches.
Rachin Ravindra has already scored two centuries in the tournament and will look to deliver a good start in this game with Will Young. Kane Williamson has batted well and will look to add runs in the middle order with Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell. Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, and Mitchell Santner are good finishers, and the team expects a strong show from them in this game.
The bowling attack will face a tough test in the game as India's top and middle order is in great form. Matt Henry has been the best bowler for the team in this tournament, and he looks to do well at the top with Kyle Jamieson. Santner and Bracewell are the key bowlers for the team in these conditions and must trouble the batters. William O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra must deliver the goods in the supporting role.
Expected Starting XI for New Zealand
Mitchell Santner (c), Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham (wk), Michael Bracewell, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, William O'Rourke
TOSS: To Bowl First
The team chasing the score has won three out of four games at this venue. The wicket is tough to score runs on, and in these conditions, most teams fancy chasing the scores. It is a high-stakes battle, and neither team wants to take any chances. The team winning the toss would look to bowl first in this game.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
We expect clear skies over Dubai on March 09. The track has been slow and low in all the games, and we expect a similar track at the end of this season. Batsmen must play with caution as the ball can stop on them. Spinners will enjoy bowling on this track, and going by the past four games, we believe the side having 280 runs on the board batting first will have a shot at the trophy.
OUR PREDICTION
New Zealand has enjoyed a dream run in ODI cricket in the last four weeks. The batting lineup has been in good form, and the bowling attack used the conditions well. However, they will be up against a strong spin attack on a slowish surface and need the batting lineup to stand up and deliver. The Indians are in good form with the bat and the ball and have excellent knowledge of the conditions in Dubai. We expect a close contest, but the Indians will have an edge.
Our prediction is for India to win
)
