Dubai, UAE – The stage is set for a thrilling showdown at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium as New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bat first against India in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final. The decision, made under clear skies and on a pitch expected to favor batsmen early, adds an extra layer of anticipation to what promises to be a fiercely contested match between two cricketing powerhouses.
India, led by Rohit Sharma, enter the final as the tournament’s only unbeaten team, having dispatched Bangladesh, Pakistan, New Zealand (in the group stage), and Australia in the semifinal—all on this very ground. New Zealand, meanwhile, secured their spot with a commanding 50-run victory over South Africa in Lahore, powered by centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson. The Black Caps now face the daunting task of toppling an in-form Indian side that has dominated them in recent knockout encounters.
Speaking at the toss, Santner expressed confidence in his team’s batting lineup. “It looks like a good wicket, similar to what we saw here last week against India. We’ll try to put runs on the board and see what happens,” he said. The decision to bat first reflects New Zealand’s strategy to set a challenging target and leverage their spin-heavy attack—featuring Santner, Michael Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips—on a pitch expected to assist slow bowlers as the game progresses.
Rohit Sharma, visibly unfazed by losing his 15th consecutive toss in one-day internationals, shrugged off the setback. “We’ve batted first, bowled first here plenty of times. I don’t mind chasing—it’s a good pitch, and we’ve done it comfortably before,” he said. India’s confidence stems from their depth, with spinners Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel proving lethal throughout the tournament, alongside the ever-reliable pace of Mohammed Shami.
The Black Caps suffered a blow with pacer Matt Henry ruled out due to a shoulder injury sustained in the semifinal. All-rounder Nathan Smith steps into the XI as his replacement, marking the only change for New Zealand. India, sticking to their winning formula, named an unchanged side from their semifinal triumph over Australia.
The Dubai pitch, previously used for the India-Pakistan group-stage clash on February 23, is dry and likely to slow down later, potentially favoring the team batting second. However, with temperatures soaring in the UAE this week, evening dew—a factor that could aid the chasing side—appears unlikely, tilting the contest toward a battle of batting prowess and spin mastery.
New Zealand’s top order, led by Ravindra, Williamson, and Daryl Mitchell, will look to build a substantial total against India’s formidable bowling attack. India, meanwhile, will rely on their star-studded batting lineup—featuring Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer—to chase down whatever target is set, a task they’ve executed with precision throughout the tournament.
This final marks a rematch of sorts, echoing the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy final in Nairobi, where New Zealand defeated India to claim their only limited-overs ICC title. For India, a victory would cap an unbeaten campaign and add a third Champions Trophy to their cabinet, following triumphs in 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka) and 2013.
As fans flood the stadium, waving flags and chanting anthems, the cricketing world holds its breath for what could be a classic. Will New Zealand’s bold call at the toss pay off, or will India’s relentless form prove too much? The answer unfolds today under the Dubai lights.
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