The Champions Trophy 2025 final is here, with India facing New Zealand at the Dubai International Stadium on March 9. This is the third ICC tournament final between these teams, making it a high-stakes battle. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first, putting India on the field. Nathan Smith replaces Matt Henry in New Zealand’s lineup, while India remains unchanged.
- New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first.
- India’s playing XI remains the same from their last match.
- Nathan Smith replaces Matt Henry in New Zealand’s squad.
Captains’ Reactions at Toss
New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner explained their decision:
“We are going to have a bat first. The wicket looks good, similar to the one we played on against India earlier. Expecting a strong crowd and a great challenge.”
Indian captain Rohit Sharma wasn’t concerned about losing the toss:
“We have batted and bowled first in this tournament. We don’t mind either. Our successful chases give us confidence.”
IND vs NZ Playing XI
New Zealand Playing XI:
- Will Young
- Rachin Ravindra
- Kane Williamson
- Daryl Mitchell
- Tom Latham (wk)
- Glenn Phillips
- Michael Bracewell
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- Nathan Smith
- Kyle Jamieson
- William O’Rourke
India Playing XI:
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Shubman Gill (vc)
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- Axar Patel
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Mohammed Shami
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakaravarthy
Match Expectations
This match is expected to be a thrilling contest, with both teams having a strong lineup. New Zealand’s decision to bat first will test India’s bowlers early on. Meanwhile, India’s recent success in chasing targets could be a key factor if they bat second.
With both teams aiming for the Champions Trophy title, fans can expect a high-intensity game. Will India’s chasing strength help them, or will New Zealand’s batting first strategy prove successful? Stay tuned for the action!
Check out the Champions Trophy Stats
