India’s pursuit of a fifth New Zealand wicket remained unfulfilled in the Champions Trophy final as fielding lapses continued to cost them. Two dropped catches in consecutive overs kept New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell alive, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill at the center of these crucial fielding errors.
After a cautious start, Glenn Phillips helped New Zealand break free from their ultra-defensive approach. With Daryl Mitchell anchoring one end, Phillips delivered some explosive strokes, taking India by surprise. Phillips smashed the first six of New Zealand’s innings after 81 balls, hitting it off Kuldeep Yadav’s bowling, before turning his attention to Ravindra Jadeja for more runs.
Also Read: India vs New Zealand : The Battle For The Champions Trophy Crown
Earlier, India had some success as Jadeja dismissed Tom Latham for 14, trapping him LBW and ending a 33-run partnership. However, it was Kuldeep Yadav who stole the spotlight, taking two wickets in two overs. He dismissed Rachin Ravindra and then outfoxed Kane Williamson, who lobbed a simple catch back to him. At this point, India was buoyed by their spinners, with Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep continuing to weave their web over the Kiwis.
The fielding mishaps didn’t end there. Mohammed Shami, who had earlier missed out on catching Travis Head and Steve Smith in the semifinal against Australia, dropped a dangerous-looking Rachin Ravindra. Rohit Sharma, visibly frustrated, immediately called for medical treatment after the miss. Ravindra benefited twice, as he used DRS to overturn his dismissal and was dropped again—this time by Shreyas Iyer in the deep.
New Zealand’s captain, Mitchell Santner, won the toss and opted to bat. This marked the 15th consecutive toss loss for India, a streak Rohit Sharma’s luckless coin tosses have yet to break. New Zealand also had a change in their squad, with Nathan Smith replacing the injured Matt Henry. India, however, fielded an unchanged side.
This tournament has been a memorable one, filled with passion and drama, and today marks its conclusion as India faces New Zealand in the final. India enters this contest hungry to clinch their second ICC title in as many tournaments. Meanwhile, New Zealand, who have defeated India twice in ICC finals—once in the 2000 Champions Trophy and again in the 2021 World Test Championship—will be eager to add a limited-overs ICC trophy to their collection.
The venue for this epic clash is Dubai, a ground known for not favoring explosive run-scoring but offering significant opportunities for spin. Both teams have already faced off on this surface just a week before the final, with India securing a 44-run victory. New Zealand’s batting, particularly Rachin Ravindra’s solid form, posed a serious challenge, threatening to make the chase before ultimately falling short.
New Zealand will rely heavily on the form of Rachin Ravindra, who has been one of the best batters of the tournament. With Ravindra in red-hot form, India must aim to dismiss him early to limit his impact on the game. Alongside him, Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell’s ability to handle spin will be key in the middle overs.
Mitchell Santner’s sensational performances in the middle overs and Michael Bracewell’s steady contributions have also been vital for New Zealand. They will continue to apply pressure on India as they look to clinch their first men’s ICC trophy in 25 years.
India starts the final as the heavy favorite, having fielded a well-balanced squad throughout the tournament. Their spin-heavy attack, led by Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, has been instrumental in middle-overs dominance, while their top-order batting strength provides confidence. The pressure is on senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill to perform in this high-stakes match.
India’s success also hinges on the team’s ability to manage the middle-overs fightback, an area where they have shown vulnerability in the past. Coach Gautam Gambhir’s strategy of rotating spinners to maintain control during the middle period will likely continue to be crucial for India’s success.
India XI For The Champions Trophy Final
New Zealand XI For The Champions Trophy Final
With India entering as favorites and New Zealand having the ability to pull off an upset, this final promises to be a thrilling contest. Both teams have shown resilience, and with the high stakes, fans can expect a match filled with drama, excitement, and plenty of twists and turns. The stage is set for a memorable conclusion to this ICC Champions Trophy.
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