As India prepares for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand, Nasser Hussain has issued a bold warning to the Men in Blue. Ahead of the title clash, Hussain warned India that this battle won’t be anything like their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 triumph against South Africa.
The former England captain said that it won’t be easy at all for India to beat the Black Caps in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday, March 9. Unlike South Africa, the Englishman said that New Zealand won’t hand the trophy to India easily as they don’t choke under pressure.
They won’t choke: Nasser Hussain warns India of New Zealand ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final
He added that the Black Caps will fight till the last ball in the final against India. Hussain believes that New Zealand is a different beast altogether, as they thrive under pressure, refuse to crumble when it matters most, and don’t make costly mistakes.
Apart from these factors, the commentator said that New Zealand’s consistency and mental toughness make them a dangerous side, so the Men in Blue should worry about them.
Nasser Hussain was quoted as saying by Sky Sports, “They will not bottle it; they won’t choke. We were having dinner with Aaron Finch, and he summed it up pretty well in saying New Zealand is never a side that beats themselves. And by that, he means that they will rock up and they will put in a performance.”
He added, “All the way through the New Zealand lineup, they have some very, very tough cricketers who turn up to every single game and give it their absolute best—that’s why they will always be there around semi-finals and finals.”
Nasser Hussain lauds New Zealand’s deadly mix of experience and youth
Nasser Hussain also highlighted New Zealand’s perfect balance of experience and youth, with Kane Williamson leading the way and rising star Rachin Ravindra adding fresh energy.
He boldly said that if the Black Caps lose the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, it will be because India outplays them, not because they fall apart.
Nasser Hussain signed off by saying, “They also have that great mixture between senior pros that have been there year in, year out—like Kane Williamson, one of the all-time greats—and youth in the likes of Rachin Ravindra. They may well lose [to New Zealand], but if they do, it will be because India beat them.”
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Notably, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra both are in great form with the bat, and they would love to continue their dominance against India as well. They struck record-breaking centuries in the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal against South Africa in Lahore.
New Zealand’s brief history in ICC events
The Black Caps have so far won only two ICC titles—the Champions Trophy in 2000 and the World Test Championship in 2021. They have reached the ICC finals six times and reached the Champions Trophy finals three times. The Kiwis also reached the semifinals nine times in 13 World Cups.