Where the Champions Trophy Final will be won and lost: Match Preview

It all comes down to this.

Two ICC heavyweights, India and New Zealand, will duel for silverware, looking to be crowned the first Champions Trophy winner since Pakistan claimed the prize back in 2017.

Adding to the intrigue, these two teams have already done battle in the tournament and at the same venue no less. It means strategies and adjustments will be firmly in focus, as the Black Caps attempt to correct what happened a week ago.

The contest will be played at the Dubai International Stadium, which has hosted India’s campaign. The pitch offers plenty for bowlers, particularly spinners, who loom large in both lineups for the big contest.

Here’s more on how the sides stack up.

WATCH: All On The Line Preview | IND v NZ Final | Champions Trophy 2025

Squads:

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Jacob Duffy

How to watch the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Recent form:

India: Rohit Sharma and co been faultless all Champions Trophy, having claimed all four contests in Dubai with relative ease. India topped Group A, completed with a win over their Final rivals New Zealand before launching into the knockout phase. Their team is the full package – quality strokemakers, damaging closers, great opening bowlers and a bull pen of spin options. India will be hard to beat.

New Zealand: The Kiwis’ run to the Final has also been impressive and noteworthy. Outside of that loss to India, they haven’t put a foot wrong in the tournament and their victory over South Africa was a strong semi-finals statement. The experience of already playing against India on the well-publicised Dubai wicket will hold them in good stead to be even better prepared for this follow-up contest.

Players in focus:

India: Mohammed Shami

It could be any of one of four slow bowlers that steps up and takes wickets through the mid-phase for India. But Shami’s job as the opener is more distinct. He took three wickets against the Aussies last start and if he generates any early innings breakthroughs with the new ball, it’ll send the Kiwis’ batting plan off schedule.

New Zealand: Rachin Ravindra

The 25-year-old sensation has developed a reputation as a big game hunter. Ravindra scored his fifth ODI hundred in the semi against South Africa and all five of those triple-figure knocks have come in ICC event competition. He saves his best for the big stage and it certainly doesn’t get much bigger than a Champions Trophy Final. His contribution doesn’t end with the bat, either. Captain Mitchell Santner will utilise Ravindra’s left-arm orthodox in the middle overs, which could well prove pivotal on the Dubai deck.

How to watch:

India: JioStar (Live streaming on Jio Hotstar, Television coverage on Star and Network 18 channels)

Pakistan: PTV and Ten Sports, Streaming options: Myco and Tamasha app

UAE and MENA: CricLife Max and CricLife Max2, Streaming option: STARZPLAY

UK: Live broadcasting on Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action, Digital coverage via SkyGO, NOW and Sky Sports App

USA and Canada: WillowTV, Streaming on Willow by Cricbuzz app (Hindi coverage available)

Caribbean: ESPNCaribbean on TV, Streaming via ESPN Play Caribbean app

Australia: PrimeVideo (coverage available in Hindi too)

New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ, digital coverage via Now and SkyGo app.

South Africa and sub-Saharan territories: SuperSport and SuperSport App

Bangladesh: Nagorik TV and T Sports for linear broadcast, digital via Toffee app

Afghanistan: ATN

Sri Lanka: Maharaja TV (TV1 on Linear), Digital via Sirasa

The games can also be viewed on ICC.tv (In select territories)