India vs New Zealand highlights, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final: India beat New Zealand by four wickets to clinch third Champions Trophy title

New Zealand have played three matches in Dubai and haven't triumphed in any of them. They lost one to Pakistan in 2014 and the other to India last Sunday. The third didn't produce a result.

So, New Zealand, who smashed 362/6 vs South Africa in Lahore on Wednesday, would have to brace for significantly different conditions. Kane Williamson acknowledged that they would have a challenge.

"The conditions are a lot different but you know that's sort of the nature of the beast. I think in any tournament that you have, conditions change a little bit throughout. For us, it was nice to have that last match against India.

"There's some really good bits there. India are an outstanding team and are playing really well. So, look, it's important we try and take away some learnings from that last game. Park this match, and in a final, anything can happen. And it was a great atmosphere last game and I'm sure it'll be a good one again."

Is it advantage India who played all four matches in Dubai? "It is what it is," said the veteran. "Our focus is the next match, the location of that match, the opposition, they're all factors. Obviously, we played India once there. The conditions are different, so it's important that we try and take away some of those positives and be nice and clear in how we're trying to operate come two- or three-days' time in the final. It's the nature of it and we're looking forward to the final and excited about it."

Ravi Shastri spoke about Virat Kohli in the latest episode of The ICC Review. The former India player, Director of Cricket and coach, who worked closely alongside Kohli, was asked what makes Kohli this good in the 50-over format.

“His discipline, his awareness of match situations (are what sets him apart),” Shastri told host Sanjana Ganesan.

“I thought he tried to get ahead of himself in the last three or four years, where he was trying to outdo what he's good at and sometimes, it can catch up on you.

“But he's back to what he does best, which is take the singles, hit the ball along the ground, if necessary, go for the big one. Some of the greatest players who played the one-day game, especially in the chase, are guys who can do that.

“When you pick up singles with ease, there's no pressure. And then when you have another guy at the other end, someone like Shreyas (Iyer) who comes and smacks it, it takes the pressure off, it becomes still easier.”

Kohli is keen on adding to his illustrious collection of trophies that includes the 2011 ODI World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy and the 2024 T20 World Cup

ICC have named 10 players who are in contention to win the Player of the Tournament award at the Champions Trophy. The contenders:

Matt Henry (New Zealand) - Matches 4, Wickets 10, Average 16.70, BBI 5/42

Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) - Matches 4, Wickets 7, Average 27.71, BBI 3/43

Virat Kohli (India) - Matches 4, Runs 217, Highest Score 100, Average 72.33, Catches 7*

Shreyas Iyer (India) - Matches 4, Runs 105, Average 48.75, Highest Score 79,

Kane Williamson (New Zealand) - Matches 4, Runs 189, Average 47.25, Highest Score 102, Catches 7

Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) - Matches 3, Runs 226, Wickets 2, Highest Score 112, Catches 4

Glenn Phillips (New Zealand) - Matches 4, Runs 143, Highest Score 61, Wickets 2, Catches 4

Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan) - Matches 3, Runs 126, Wickets 7, BBI 5/58, Catches 2

Varun Chakravarthy (India) - Matches 2, Wickets 7, Average 13.00, BBI 5/42

Mohammed Shami (India) - Matches 4, Wickets 8, Average 19.88, BBI 5/53

India and New Zealand will play on the same surface that was used for India vs Pakistan on Feb 23. India had won that match by six wickets.

Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan folded for 241, with Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav emerging as the top wicket-taker with 3/40 in nine overs, while allrounder Hardik Pandya took 2/31 in eight overs.

India employed 26 overs of spin in that match (Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja were the other spinners), who went for 129 runs and fetched them five wickets.

India, in reply, chased down the target in just 42.3 overs, with Virat Kohli scoring his 51st century - a magnificent 100 not out off 111 balls. Shreyas Iyer (56) and Shubman Gill (46) also played crucial roles.

Pakistan’s best bowler, too, was a spinner: leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who conceded just 1-28 in 10 overs.

Champions Trophy final playing conditions

Is there a reserve day?

Even though the weather looks clear, is there a reserve day for the Champions Trophy final should an oddity occur and render the contest null today?

Yes there is a reserve day. If the match gets halted by adverse weather conditions, play will resume from where it left off on Monday. If there is no play possible on Monday either, the trophy will be shared.

How long will we wait for play to start?

Every attempt will be made to restart the match on Sunday itself. Up to two hours of additional time is available on both the original day and for the reserve day.

“If play is interrupted on the scheduled day, the umpires will utilize the extra time available and, if necessary, reduce the number of overs to try to reach a result on that day,” according to the playing conditions for the 2025 Champions Trophy final.

“In making decisions related to the ground, weather, and light, the umpires will aim to maximize play on the scheduled day of the match in order to achieve a result on that day, as if no reserve day were available.”

How many overs are required to be played?

For the result to be considered valid, both teams need to play at least 25 overs on match day or reserve day. If play does not resume by the cut-off time period on Sunday, it will move to Monday to try and meet this minimum criteria.

What if there is a tie?

If the match ends in a tie, with both teams on the same runs, then Super Overs will be played until an outcome is achieved.

Dubai's scorching heat could play a decisive role in what the captain's decide at the toss. The temperatures are expected to hover around 32 degree Celsius but surprisingly for everyone, dew has not played a role despite the chill in the evening. So, bat first or second does not necessarily make a difference as far as the conditions go. There are no chances of rain throughout the day so expect a full game without any interruptions.