It all comes down to this...

India & New Zealand, two sides in outstanding form, will lock horns in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final on Sunday, March 9 at the Dubai International Stadium. The action will kickstart at 2:30 PM IST. 🇮🇳🇳🇿

Team India, led by आपला RO, are unbeaten heading into the summit clash. They won all three group phase encounters, including a commanding 44-run victory over their upcoming opponents, giving us a psychological edge ahead of the showdown.

Come semis. Come Aussies… Need we say more??? 🤨 A fearless brand of cricket, anchored by Virat Kohli’s 84-run knock and Kung Fu Pandya’s mind-boggling cameo, propelled the 2013 champions to a thrilling four-wicket win. Given that defeat in 2023, this win did give a certain sense of satisfaction with FINAL in sight.

🎫 𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐄 ✅🏆#INDvAUS #ChampionsTrophy #MumbaiIndians pic.twitter.com/WUcHm8vw0p

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 4, 2025

Meanwhile, New Zealand are coming into the finale on the back of a record-breaking win over South Africa in the semi-final. The first innings score of 362/6 in that fixture, courtesy of Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson’s tons, became the highest-ever team total in the competition’s history. 👏

So far, the Black Caps’ personnel have registered five centuries in the ongoing edition, the most by any nation. The Indian cricket team would certainly be wary of this record and would enter the field with a counter-attacking mindset.

Interestingly, India and New Zealand will face off in an ICC ODI competition final after 25 years. The ICC KnockOut final in 2000 saw the Kiwis emerge victorious by four wickets.

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What to look forward to: A Sunday blockbuster between two cricketing heavyweights. Nothing more. Nothing less.

We all have seen how brilliant New Zealand can be on the field, with Glenn Phillips being a notable name when it comes to taking blinders.

Nonetheless, tension gheu naka Paltan… our players are equally equipped with the best-in-class skills & the Men in Blue surely won’t shy away plucking one or two out of the thin air themselves whenever it comes their way.

Also, our new Boy in Blue & Gold, Mitchell Santner, will be leading New Zealand for the first time in an ICC final. 💪 Here’s to a terrific match-up, Santner भाऊ!

India vs New Zealand: Stat attack

*Active players are taken into consideration for most runs and wickets.