The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is approaching a pivotal moment as India prepares to face New Zealand on March 2 at the Dubai International Stadium. Both teams have already secured their spots in the semi-finals, making this encounter crucial for determining the top position in Group A. Historically, New Zealand has been a formidable opponent for India in ICC tournaments, resulting in many heartbreaks for Indian fans. But India will be eager to settle scores here.
Match Preview
India enters this match with a perfect record, defeating Bangladesh and Pakistan in their earlier group-stage matches. A robust batting lineup and a versatile bowling attack have marked their performance. Notably, Virat Kohli's unbeaten century against Pakistan showed his enduring prowess on the international stage again.
Under Mitchell Santner's leadership, New Zealand have also displayed commendable form. They secured a convincing 60-run victory over Pakistan in their opening match and continued their momentum with a win against Bangladesh. The team's balanced combination of experienced players and emerging talents has been instrumental in their success.
Given both teams ' current trajectories, this match serves as a precursor to potential future clashes, possibly even the tournament final. The outcome will determine the group leader and provide psychological leverage moving into the knockout stages.
Probable Playing XI
India:
- Shubman Gill (c)
- KL Rahul
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Arshdeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Varun Chakaravarthy
New Zealand:
- Devon Conway
- Will Young
- Kane Williamson
- Rachin Ravindra
- Daryl Mitchell
- Glenn Phillips
- Michael Bracewell
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- Kyle Jamieson
- Matt Henry
- William O'Rourke
India is expected to make strategic changes, with Shubman Gill likely to captain the side in place of the injured Rohit Sharma. Rishabh Pant may be included to strengthen the middle order. Rachin Ravindra, after recovering from a concussion and scoring a century against Bangladesh, is eager to contribute further for New Zealand.
Team News
India's captain, Rohit Sharma, sustained a hamstring injury during the match against Pakistan and is expected to be rested for this fixture. Shubman Gill will lead the team in his absence. Additionally, there is speculation about including off-spinner Washington Sundar to counter New Zealand's left-handed batters.
New Zealand's camp is buoyed by the return of Rachin Ravindra, who has expressed his eagerness to play against India despite the match being a dead rubber in terms of qualification. The team will likely maintain its core lineup, focusing on fine-tuning strategies before the semi-finals.
Weather and Pitch Report
The weather in Dubai on March 2 is expected to be warm and dry, with temperatures ranging between 21°C and 32°C. The Dubai International Stadium pitch traditionally offers a balance between bat and ball, with early assistance for seamers and gradual support for spinners as the match progresses. Dew in the evening could influence bowling strategies, making it advantageous to chase under lights.
Key Players
India:
- Virat Kohli: The seasoned batters have been in stellar form, scoring an unbeaten 100 against Pakistan. His experience and ability to anchor the innings make him a linchpin in India's batting lineup.
- Kuldeep Yadav: The left-arm wrist-spinner has been effective in the middle overs, providing crucial breakthroughs. His variations and control have troubled batters, making him a key asset in India's bowling arsenal.
New Zealand:
- Rachin Ravindra: After recovering from a concussion, Ravindra marked his return with a century against Bangladesh. His all-round capabilities add depth to New Zealand's lineup, and his enthusiasm to face India highlights his competitive spirit.
- Kyle Jamieson: The tall fast bowler has a knack for performing well against India, utilizing his height to extract bounce and challenge batters. His previous encounters have seen him trouble the Indian lineup, making him a player to watch.
Match Prediction: Who Will Win?
Both teams have shown exceptional performances in the tournament, making this a challenging match to predict. India's batting depth and recent form provide them with a slight edge.
However, New Zealand's balanced attack and psychological advantage in ICC events against India cannot be overlooked. The match is poised to be closely contested.