India will take on New Zealand in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday, and the sold-out match is expected to be keenly fought between the tournament’s two most consistent teams, where India are unbeaten in four matches and New Zealand have lost just once.
Previewing the final in a BCCI video, India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill said “nothing has changed for the team” since it arrived in Dubai and they are ready for “one final push.”
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Gill has been one of the in-form batters for India, having hit a century already while accumulating 157 runs in four innings at an average of 52.33.
“It feels like yesterday that we landed here in the UAE in our quest to claim the Champions Trophy,” Gill said in the video.
Energies were high; vibes were positive; and let us assure you, nothing has changed. Three weeks, four wins, countless hours of training and endless miles later, it’s time for one final push, it’s time for one final stretch.
For one final time, let’s go and get this one.
THE SETTING
The final is a repeat of the 2000 title clash when the tournament, known as ICC KnockOut at that time, was won by New Zealand. Since then, India have lost two more knockout matches against the Kiwis in ICC tournaments; namely, the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final and the 2021 World Test Championship final.
INDIA FAVOURITES
India reached the final with a flawless record, demonstrating excellence in all departments of the game. The team’s robust lineup, including the batting legend Virat Kohli who scored a century against Pakistan, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Shreys Iyer, enables them to perform with assurance and liberty. Meanwhile, the team’s bowling unit has been well served by veteran pacer Mohammed Shami and the spin quartet of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy.
India defeated New Zealand in the group-stage match, which saw Chakravarthy spinning a web to register match-winning figures of 5 for 42.
NEW ZEALAND DETERMINED
New Zealand, captained by Mitchell Santner, has shown remarkable determination throughout the competition. The team faces uncertainty regarding their top wicket-taker, Matt Henry, who sustained a shoulder injury during the semifinal against South Africa. His availability remains subject to a final fitness assessment.
