Ravi Shastri has claimed that while India may start as the favourites in the Champions Trophy 2025 final on Sunday, March 9, they only hold a slender advantage over New Zealand. India and the Blackcaps face off for the second time in the ongoing tournament, a repeat of the ICC Knockouts 2000 final. In Nairobi, 25 years ago, New Zealand beat India to win the title.
The Blackcaps have been in fine form throughout the tournament, having beaten South Africa to reach the final. Speaking on the ICC Review, Shastri said that if one team can beat India on Sunday, it will be New Zealand.
“If there’s one team that can beat India, it’s New Zealand,” Shastri said in ‘The ICC Review’. “So India start as favourites but only just.”
Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson are in top form heading into the contest and Shastri tipped both men to be potential gamechangers for their respective sides. The former India coach also said that Rachin Ravindra can also be a gamechanger.
“Now (on) current form, Kohli. When these guys get hot and you let them get their first 10 runs, then they’re trouble. Whether it’s Williamson, whether it’s Kohli,” Shastri said.
“So from New Zealand, I would say Williamson. To an extent, Ravindra, he is a fabulous young player.
“But these guys when they smell the coffee and you let them, in a final, get to that 10-15, then they’re doubly dangerous.”
Speaking about who would be the potential Player Of The Match candidates, Shastri said one of the all-rounders could win the award. From India, he went with Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja and from New Zealand he picked Glenn Phillips.
“Player of the Match, I would go for an all-rounder,” he said in The ICC Review. “I’ll say Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja from India.”
“From New Zealand, I think that Glenn Phillips has something up. He might just show flashes of brilliance in the field. He might come and smash a cameo of 40, 50 and probably surprise you by taking a wicket or two.”
India had beaten New Zealand in their previous meeting in Champions Trophy 2025.
