IND vs NZ LIVE Score, Champions Trophy 2025 Final: Dominant India aim to prevent a third straight loss against in-form New Zealand

IND vs NZ LIVE Score, Champions Trophy 2025 Final: A High-Stakes Showdown in Dubai

A thrilling Champions Trophy campaign comes to an end today as India and New Zealand battle for the coveted title. Both teams have displayed outstanding performances over the past three weeks, setting the stage for a final brimming with intensity. However, this tournament has not been without controversy—issues that arose months before the first ball was bowled have lingered throughout. But with controversy comes passion, and India, at the heart of it all, will be eager to claim back-to-back ICC titles and erase past heartbreaks.

Dubai hosts this blockbuster clash on a pitch that has favored spin over high-scoring encounters, a stark contrast to the batting-friendly surfaces in Pakistan. Just a week ago, these two teams met under similar conditions, where India secured a 44-run win. Though there was no elimination threat then, both sides will have learned key lessons from that contest, particularly New Zealand, whose batting lineup showed promise but ultimately fell short.

India vs New Zealand Head-to-Head in ODIs:

• Matches Played: 119
• India Won: 61
• New Zealand Won: 50
• Tied: 1
• No Result: 7

New Zealand will take confidence from their ability to trouble India's top order, having dismissed Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli cheaply in the previous encounter. While India boasts middle-order rescuers like Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel, relying on them every time—especially in a high-pressure final—may not be ideal. That said, the presence of KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja offers significant depth and stability.

India’s bowling strategy has revolved around their four-pronged spin attack, a tactical move by Gautam Gambhir that has effectively stifled opposition batting in the middle overs. This approach allows India to regain control even when the early wickets are hard to come by.

India's Probable XI for the Final:

Openers: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill
Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK)
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja
Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy
Pacer: Mohammed Shami

New Zealand's Probable XI for the Final:

Openers: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra
Middle Order: Kane Williamson, Tom Latham (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips
All-rounders: Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Kyle Jamieson
Pacers: William O’Rourke, Nathan Smith

For New Zealand, the key will be handling India’s middle-over spin strangle. Rachin Ravindra has been in phenomenal form, arguably the best batter of the tournament. If India fails to dismiss him early, he could dictate the innings. Additionally, New Zealand’s spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell has been instrumental in controlling the scoring rate. India will need a solid plan to counter them.

Despite New Zealand’s resilience, India enters the final as favorites, boasting a well-rounded squad and the advantage of having acclimatized to Dubai's conditions over the past month. The Kiwis, however, are no strangers to upsetting the odds—especially against India. They will view this as a golden opportunity to secure their first ICC limited-overs title in 25 years.

This final is anything but predictable. Expect a gripping contest filled with drama, momentum swings, and moments of brilliance. Now, it’s up to the players to rise to the occasion.

Key Points Ahead of the Final:

• India has never beaten New Zealand in an ICC tournament final.
• New Zealand defeated India in the 2000 Champions Trophy final and the 2021 World Test Championship final.
• However, India has won its last six ODIs against New Zealand.
• The match will be played on the same pitch used for the India vs Pakistan game two weeks ago.
• This could be Rohit Sharma’s last ODI.

A historic night awaits—will India break their final jinx against New Zealand, or will the Kiwis complete their ICC hat-trick against India?