The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is just around the corner, and with it, the anticipation surrounding two of the most competitive teams in world cricket – India and New Zealand. Both teams are known for their exciting cricketing styles and have a rich history of battling it out on the international stage. As the tournament approaches, cricket fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the clash between these two cricketing giants. In this article, we will compare the squads of India and New Zealand for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, assessing their strengths, weaknesses, and key players, while also analyzing their past performances in ICC events.
Squad Overview
Before diving into specific player comparisons, let’s first take a look at the two teams’ announced squads.
India’s Squad:
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Hardik Pandya
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammad Shami
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Rishabh Pant
- Ravindra Jadeja
New Zealand’s Squad:
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- Michael Bracewell
- Mark Chapman
- Devon Conway
- Lockie Ferguson
- Matt Henry
- Tom Latham
- Daryl Mitchell
- Will O’Rourke
- Glenn Phillips
- Rachin Ravindra
- Ben Sears
- Nathan Smith
- Kane Williamson
- Will Young
Key Players to Watch
🔥 India:
- Virat Kohli: Known for his consistency and ability to chase under pressure, Kohli remains a key player for India in ICC events. His experience and leadership in high-pressure situations make him a cornerstone of the batting lineup.
- Rohit Sharma: The Indian captain has been in stellar form and is often regarded as one of the best opening batsmen in limited-overs cricket. His ability to anchor the innings while also accelerating when needed will be vital for India’s success.
- Jasprit Bumrah: India’s premier fast bowler, Bumrah’s death-over skills and ability to deliver under pressure make him a game-changer in ICC tournaments.
🔥 New Zealand:
- Kane Williamson: The New Zealand x captain is known for his calm and composed approach. His technical prowess and ability to bat under pressure make him a valuable asset in the middle order.
- Mitchell Santner: The New Zealand new captain and a key all-rounder for New Zealand, Santner brings balance to the team with his left-arm spin and batting prowess. As captain, his leadership will be essential, especially in guiding New Zealand’s spin attack.
- Glenn Phillips: With his explosive batting and excellent fielding, Phillips adds a dynamic element to New Zealand’s middle order. His ability to shift momentum with the bat makes him a dangerous player.
Batting Lineup Comparison
When it comes to batting, both India and New Zealand have strong lineups, but each brings a different style to the table.
India’s Top Order vs New Zealand’s Top Order
India’s top order, featuring Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli, has been one of the most consistent in world cricket. Rohit’s ability to accelerate and score big hundreds, Kohli’s smooth technique and chase mentality, and Gill’s maturity at the crease make India’s top order formidable. Additionally, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer provide depth, both in terms of experience and flexibility in handling various match situations.
In comparison, New Zealand’s top order, led by Devon Conway and Kane Williamson, is known for its technique and adaptability. Conway, with his solid batting technique, is a reliable run-scorer. Williamson, while more conservative, can anchor innings and play a pivotal role in middle overs. Will Young and Glenn Phillips can provide the extra impetus if needed.
India’s Middle Order vs New Zealand’s Middle Order
In the middle order, India has the likes of Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, and Axar Patel. Pandya, as an all-rounder, provides balance to the team with his aggressive batting and handy bowling. Pant adds flair to the middle order with his explosive batting, and Axar Patel, a solid all-rounder, can anchor the innings when required.
On the other hand, New Zealand boasts a strong middle-order with players like Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Michael Bracewell. Daryl Mitchell, especially, has been in great form, capable of hitting long, effective sixes in the death overs. Glenn Phillips and Bracewell offer versatility and aggressive batting options.
Bowling Attack Comparison
Pace Attack: India vs New Zealand
India’s pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, is one of the most lethal in world cricket. Bumrah’s accuracy in the death overs, coupled with Mohammad Shami gives India immense pace-bowling depth. Arshdeep Singh further strengthens the attack with his ability to swing the ball both ways and bowl effectively in the powerplays.
In comparison, New Zealand’s bowling attack is equally formidable. With Will O’Rourke and Matt Henry, New Zealand has two excellent pace bowlers who can swing the ball, especially early on. Lockie Ferguson, known for his express pace, provides the necessary firepower to break partnerships. These three bowlers will be crucial in New Zealand’s quest for success in the tournament.
Spin Attack: India vs New Zealand
When it comes to spin, India holds a significant advantage with the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. Jadeja’s left-arm orthodox spin and brilliant fielding make him one of the best all-rounders in limited-overs cricket, while Kuldeep Yadav’s wrist-spin and ability to take wickets in the middle overs is a valuable asset.
For New Zealand, Mitchell Santner is the main spinners. Santner is known for his accuracy and ability to bowl in pressure situations, However, on subcontinental pitches, India’s spinners may have an edge.
All-Rounders Factor
Both teams boast impressive all-rounders who can make a significant impact with both bat and ball.
- India’s Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel form a strong all-rounder trio. Pandya brings balance to the team with his explosive batting and useful medium-fast bowling, while Jadeja and Axar Patel add depth to the bowling department and can also play match-winning knocks lower down the order.
- New Zealand’s all-rounders, including Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell, and Michael Bracewell, bring a similar balance to the team. Santner’s spin, combined with his ability to contribute with the bat, makes him an invaluable asset. Daryl Mitchell and Bracewell both offer batting depth and handy bowling options in critical situations.
Head-to-Head Record in ICC Events
Over the years, India and New Zealand have played some thrilling encounters in ICC tournaments, with India holding a slight edge.
- The 2019 ICC World Cup semifinal between the two teams remains a memorable clash, where New Zealand edged out India by 18 runs in a thrilling encounter.
- In the 2021 World Test Championship final, New Zealand defeated India, showcasing their ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
Predicted Playing XI for Each Team
India:
- Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami
New Zealand:
- Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Mitchell Santner(c), Michael Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke,
Final Verdict & Predictions
While both teams possess formidable squads, India has a slight edge in terms of experience, especially with the bat. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are two of the most successful cricketers in ICC events, and their leadership in key moments can turn the game in India’s favor. However, New Zealand’s strong pace attack and calmness under pressure make them a tough competitor.
The X-factor for India could be the performance of Jasprit Bumrah in the death overs and Hardik Pandya’s all-round brilliance. For New Zealand, the spinners and the middle-order batting depth of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips could make a significant difference.
The India vs New Zealand rivalry is always exciting, and with both teams boasting strong squads for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, this clash promises to be an enthralling contest. Fans around the world will be eagerly watching as the two teams battle for supremacy. Who do you think has the stronger squad? Share your thoughts and predictions!
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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Matches
Pakistan vs New Zealand - 1st Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs India - 2nd Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs South Africa - 3rd Match, Group B | Australia vs England - 4th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs India - 5th Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs New Zealand - 6th Match, Group A | Australia vs South Africa - 7th Match, Group B | Afghanistan vs England - 8th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs Bangladesh - 9th Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs Australia - 10th Match, Group B | England vs South Africa - 11th Match, Group B | New Zealand vs India - 12th Match, Group A | TBA vs TBA, 1st Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, 2nd Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, Final |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Teams
PAKISTAN | NEW ZEALAND | BANGLADESH | INDIA | AFGHANISTAN | SOUTH AFRICA | AUSTRALIA | ENGLAND
