Champions Trophy: Key match-ups which can swing the final in Dubai

It will be a cliché to say that the two best teams have made the final of the ICC Champions Trophy – but that’s been the story of the 2025 edition in Pakistan and the UAE. While India appeared to have an answer for all kinds of scenarios, the resilient Kiwis looked well-prepared for the conditions and had taken the issue of skewed scheduling in their stride.

 The odds for the final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday make India 2/5 favourites, but New Zealand have a history of spoiling their party on a number of occasions in ICC tournaments. The heartbreak in the semi-final of the 2019 50-overs World Cup or the final of World Test Championship (WTC) in 2021 is still vivid in memory, though India managed to turn the tables in 2023 in a high-scoring semi-final in Mumbai.

 This will be India’s third consecutive appearance in a Champions Trophy final, having won in 2013 and lost the 2017 final to Pakistan. They will be eyeing their third crown, having been joint winners in 2002, while the Kiwis are eyeing their second title after the sensational win in the final against India in 2000.

What are the key match-ups where the final could be won or lost? National Herald takes a look:    

Shubman Gill vs Matt Henry

The new Indian vice-captain in ODIs, world No.1 batter in ICC rankings in this format, has been a stabilising force up the order and needs to fire against Matt Henry – leader of the Kiwi pace attack after the retirement of Trent Boult and Tim Southee from this format. There is, however, a major question mark over the availability of tournament’s leading wicket-taker Henry – who landed on his shoulder badly while taking a high catch in the semi-final.

 Henry, the most experienced pacer with 90-odd ODIs under his belt, was responsible for trapping Gill early in the group match with an in-dipping delivery. He can cause further problems in the final in the company of Will O’ Rourke and Kyle Jamieson and no wonder, Kiwi head coach Gary Stead is fervently hoping for Henry to pass the muster.

Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Santner

 Virat Kohli, the master batter, seems to have found his mojo back in this tournament – being among the top five rungetters, including a century. However, India’s leading century maker in ODIs has often been susceptible to left-arm spin bowling and this is where Kiwi captain Mitchell Santner will try to play on his patience and induce a mistake.

 The former India captain, who grafted his way to an useful fifty against the Proteas in the 2024 World T20 final, will look to anchor the innings in the big game again and the ODIs are easily his most favourite format. The middle overs, hence, could see a riveting contest between him and a canny Santner who is extremely slow through the air.  

Kane Williamson vs Varun Chakravarthy

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who has been India’s ace in the pack with a haul of 5/42 against New Zealand and two key wickets against Australia in the semis, may find his match in Kane Williamson. The former Kiwi captain’s 81 in their last meeting on the slow Dubai track was a masterclass on how to play spin bowling and he will look to neutralise Chakravarthy early on.

 The Kiwi veteran, who at 34, is believed to be contemplating a retirement from ODIs after the final, averages 42.86 against leg-spinners in this format. Varun, however, can turn the ball both ways and has a bag of tricks including one that hurries through straight or often a seam-up delivery as well. It’s time for the latter to rise to the occasion in his very first ODI tournament.  

Rachin Ravindra vs Mohammed Shami

The in-form Rachin, who has already cracked two centuries in a short tournament, will have to negotiate the wily Mohammed Shami – who has dismissed the Kiwi twice in three ODI meetings so far. While Rachin and Will Young will try to grab the initiative in the powerplay, Shami’s experience in altering the line against the left handers and generate movement off the seam can challenge the 25-year-old.  

Coming out of the ankle injury which sidelined him for 14 months, Shami has not let the team management feel Jasprit Bumrah’s absence so far. The other factor that could be playing in the Kiwi minds was the senior pro’s figures in their last knockout meeting in an ICC 50-overs event: it was a career-best 9.5-0-57-7 in the 2023 World Cup semi-final.

 Can Shami produce an encore on Sunday evening? We will know soon.