New Zealand's battle to end five-match losing streak against Indians
| Date | March 02, 2025 |
| Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai |
| Format | ODI |
| Series | ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 |
Betting Odds
Our Predictions
- Kane Williamson has odds of 3.25 to be New Zealand's best batsman
- Shubman Gill has odds of 3.10 to be India's best batsman
- Matt Henry has odds of 3.05 to be New Zealand's best bowler
- Mohammad Shami has odds of 3.00 to be India's best bowler
MATCH PREVIEW
We are in the final league game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. New Zealand will be up against India in the 12th game as both teams look to build momentum ahead of the semifinals. The Kiwis smashed the Bangladeshis in the last game and have booked a ticket for the next round. Their batsmen are in good form and will look to make the best use of their five-match winning momentum. The Indians demolished arch-rivals Pakistan in their last game and are high on confidence. They have an excellent record against New Zealand and shall start the game with higher odds. We expect a close contest as neither team wants to lose this game on the verge of the semifinal.
New Zealand Preview
Mitchell Santner's team is enjoying a great run in this format. The side defeated Bangladesh in their second league game by 5 wickets and made it to the next round. It was their fifth consecutive win, and the team will be confident. However, they are up against the strongest team in the group and have lost the last five games against India. They will start with lower odds on cricket betting sites and must do well with the ball to win.
Devon Conway has batted well in the last few games, and the team expects a good start from him and Will Young. Rachin Ravindra made a strong comeback after an injury with a brilliant hundred in the last game. He must add runs in the middle order with Kane Williamson and Tom Latham. This Kiwi batting lineup has good finishers, and the team expects runs from Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, and Mitchell Santner.
The bowling attack will have a key role in this contest, as the Indians have one of the strongest batting lineups in the world. The team needs a good spell with the new ball from Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson. Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner must use the slow conditions well to trouble the Indians. The side will also expect a good show from Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra in the supporting roles.
Expected Starting XI for New Zealand
Mitchell Santner (c), Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, William O'Rourke
India Preview
Rohit Sharma and his men have been phenomenal in both games. It was a clinical show from the team against Pakistan, winning by 6 wickets. The batting lineup is in good form, and the bowling attack has troubled the opponents in both games. They have played on this wicket and shall start ahead on cricket betting apps. Sharma expects a strong show from his players to enter the next round confidently.
Shubman Gill has batted well in both games, and the team expects an electrifying start from him, with Rohit Sharma at the top. Virat Kohli's hundred in the last game has brightened the team's prospects, and he will look to add runs in the middle order with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja are powerful hitters, which makes it a formidable batting lineup.
Mohammad Shami is bowling well at the top, and the team expects a good show from him and Harshit Rana with the new ball. The spin attack has cracked the code on this wicket, and the side will expect a good show from Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav. Hardik Pandya adds depth to this attack and will look to pick crucial wickets as he has done before.
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, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav
TOSS: To Bowl First
In the last seven games, the side batting first has won only once. The slow nature of the track makes it difficult for teams to set up totals at this venue. Both captains will take cues from the results of the recent games and choose to bowl first in the game.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
We expect clear skies over Dubai and a warm afternoon. The wicket will be flat, but it is two-paced, and batsmen must be watchful on this wicket. Bowlers have also struggled, as the fast outfield doesn't leave much room for error. A score of 300 runs will be good for the team batting first on this surface.
OUR PREDICTION
New Zealand has ticked all the boxes leading up to this game. However, the team has struggled against the Indians and will play in Dubai for the first time in this tournament. The conditions will be different from what they had had in Pakistan. The bowling attack must deliver the goods for the team to win. The Indians have done well in both games and know the conditions well. Their strong batting lineup gives them an edge in this game.
Our prediction is for India to win
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