Champions Trophy 2025 Final: With All Bases Covered, India Aim To Tackle "Concerning Factor" vs New Zealand

It is time for the ultimate showdown as India and New Zealand lock horns in the final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday. India have been the best team in the tournament having won all their matches enroute to the finale. They have all bases covered including the best slower bowlers for the conditions. India also have the advantage of playing all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium. New Zealand, on the other hand, have been quite ruthless themselves with comprehensive wins against Pakistan and South Africa.

Both finalists boast of a formidable batting line-up but who will be the X-factor? Will the toss play a crucial factor in the outcome of the high-octane encounter? Which are the crucial match-ups? Henry or Shami - who is the better pacer with the new ball and does India have an edge with its quartet of spinners? 

We do a deep dive and look at some key talking points ahead of the blockbuster contest on Sunday.

New Zealand - India's nemesis in ICC tournaments

New Zealand have a 9-6 head to head record against India in ICC limited-over world events and it is 3-1 in favour of the Kiwis when it comes to knockout matches (including the 2021 WTC final). However, it is India who has come out victorious in their last three ICC meetings - in the league-stage of the 2023 World Cup at Dharamsala and then in the semi-final in Mumbai and of course last Sunday in the group-stage of this tournament in Dubai.

New Zealand defeated India in the final of the second edition of the ICC Champions Trophy in Nairobi in 2000.

Chasing advantage in Dubai

The toss is expected to play a crucial part in the final in Dubai on Sunday. Although there has not been any dew in the second innings at the venue in the