As India and New Zealand gear up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 9, anticipation is at an all-time high. The Men in Blue, led by Rohit Sharma, have displayed sheer dominance throughout the tournament, securing four consecutive wins, including a convincing victory over the World Champions, Australia, in the semi-final. On the other hand, the Black Caps, captained by Mitchell Santner, have also been formidable, entering the final after a commanding 50-run victory over South Africa. With both teams in prime form, the upcoming summit clash promises to be a thrilling encounter.
India's journey in the tournament has been nothing short of spectacular. The Rohit Sharma-led side topped Group A with comprehensive victories over Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand. The semi-final against Australia tested their resilience, but they came through with a composed performance, successfully chasing down a target of 264 with four wickets to spare. In that match, Virat Kohli played a vital role with the bat, anchoring the innings, while KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya contributed crucial runs to guide the team home. The bowling department has also been impressive, with India's spin-heavy attack proving lethal in the subcontinental conditions.
One of India's biggest strengths has been their four-pronged spin attack, which includes Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and the in-form Varun Chakravarthy. The latter's inclusion in the group stage match against New Zealand turned out to be a masterstroke, as he delivered a match-winning five-wicket haul, helping India secure a 44-run victory. Given his success against the Kiwis, it is highly likely that India will stick to the same playing XI for the final. The presence of seasoned pacers like Mohammed Shami provides the perfect balance to the bowling lineup, making India a well-rounded unit.
New Zealand, meanwhile, will be sweating over the fitness of fast bowler Matt Henry, who sustained an injury ahead of the final. The Kiwi skipper, Mitchell Santner, has not ruled him out completely, but if he fails to recover in time, it will be a significant blow to their bowling attack. Henry has been one of their standout performers, particularly in the semi-final against South Africa, where he claimed a five-wicket haul. His absence would mean that New Zealand may have to turn to Nathan Smith as a replacement, which could impact their overall strategy.
Beyond the excitement of the final, discussions about Rohit Sharma's future in ODI cricket have taken center stage. Having already retired from T20Is after leading India to World Cup glory in 2024, the Indian captain is expected to deliberate on his 50-over future post-Champions Trophy. Reports suggest that he is likely to have discussions with BCCI and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar to assess the road ahead. If India wins the title, Rohit might announce his retirement, joining MS Dhoni as the only Indian captain to win multiple ICC trophies. However, no official word has been given, and Rohit has remained tight-lipped on the matter, even skipping pre-final press conferences.
The Indian team's Future Tours Programme (FTP) also plays a role in Rohit's decision. India’s next home ODI series is scheduled against South Africa in December, meaning that if he chooses to continue, he will have to wait nearly nine months to play another 50-over game at home. The only other ODIs before then are away series against Bangladesh, Australia, and the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. If Rohit does not intend to play in the 2027 ODI World Cup, he might consider stepping away now, focusing instead on Test cricket, where India has a crucial series against England later this year.
For now, though, the focus remains on the Champions Trophy final, where India will be eyeing another major ICC title, and New Zealand will be determined to break their jinx in world tournaments. The cricketing world is set for a high-stakes battle, one that could mark the end of an era for Indian cricket while potentially crowning them as champions once again.
