Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri made bold predictions for the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 between India and New Zealand. He feels that the Rohit Sharma-led side will have an upper hand in the game, saying that they are the team to beat in the tournament.
India National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team will be up against each other in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The game is all set to take place on Sunday (9th March) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
India and New Zealand no doubt have been two of the top teams in the tournament and it’s fair to say that Dubai will be up for a cracker of a contest. The two teams have played a dominating brand of cricket, and with them sharing a big history, it will be hard to pick any favourites.
India will be entering the final on the back of four back-to-back wins, while New Zealand, on the other hand, beat all the other teams they faced apart from the Rohit Sharma-led side. But it’s fair to say that the Black Caps were the only team that tested Men in Blue and would be hoping to turn things around this time.
Ravi Shastri picks his Player of the Match choices for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
With the final around the corner, Ravi Shastri has made his predictions. He believes that from India, either Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja might be the Player of the Match, while from New Zealand, it could be Glenn Phillips. Speaking to ICC, he said:
“Player of the Match, I would go for an all-rounder. I’ll say Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja from India. From New Zealand, I think that Glenn Phillips has something up. He might just show flashes of brilliance in the field. He might come and smash a cameo of 40, 50 and probably surprise you by taking a wicket or two.”
Ravi Shastri backs Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra to make a big impact in the final
Ravi Shastri also predicted that Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra will play a crucial role. He said:
“Now (on) current form, Kohli. When these guys get hot and you let them get their first 10 runs, then they’re trouble. Whether it’s Williamson, whether it’s Kohli. So from New Zealand, I would say Williamson. To an extent, Rachin Ravindra is a fabulous young player. But these guys, when they smell the coffee, and you let them, in a final, get to that 10-15, then they’re doubly dangerous.”
India start as favourites but only just – Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri also mentioned that there are chances that both India and New Zealand might make some changes based on the conditions. He concluded by saying that the Rohit Sharma-led side are the favourites to win. He added:
“I won’t be surprised if there might be a change for either side depending on the pitch. Because the pitch we saw against Australia was the best pitch we’ve seen in the tournament. So the groundsman has another five days since the last game to prepare a surface and if it’s a 280-300 surface like the last one was, you might just want to think about it.
“But you won’t tinker with the side unless necessary. If there’s one team that can beat India, it’s New Zealand. So India starts as favourites but only just.”
Also read: Virat Kohli & Co. terrified of NZ spinners? Training session reveals big truth before CT final