Champions Trophy Final: Former India Coach Makes Bold Prediction, Says New Zealand Can ‘Beat India If…’

Add as a preferred source on Google

Dubai is bracing itself for a high-stakes showdown as India and New Zealand lock horns in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 final.

With the cricketing world abuzz, former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has donned the predictor’s hat, making some bold calls on what could unfold in this much-anticipated clash at the Dubai International Stadium.

In a special edition of The ICC Review, Shastri sat down with host Sanjana Ganesan to dissect the key battles, pick potential match-winners, and even throw in a surprise element or two. His predictions have set social media on fire, with fans dissecting every word as the countdown to Sunday’s final begins.

Axar, Jadeja or Phillips? Shastri’s Surprise Picks for Player of the Match

Perhaps the most unexpected call from Shastri was his choice for the Aramco Player of the Match. While most discussions have revolved around the likes of Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Rachin Ravindra, Shastri turned the spotlight towards the all-rounders.

"Player of the Match, I would go for an all-rounder," he remarked. "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."

Shastri’s comments come on the heels of Phillips’ electrifying performance in the semi-final against South Africa, where he hammered a game-changing 49 off just 27 balls and chipped in with two crucial wickets. The Kiwi dynamo has been a livewire on the field, taking two gravity-defying catches that have turned matches on their head.

Meanwhile, India’s left-arm spin duo of Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja have been pivotal in their campaign. The two have not only strangled opposition batters with their economical spells but also added vital runs down the order. Their role becomes even more crucial given Dubai’s spin-friendly surface.

Kohli, Williamson, and Ravindra – The Big-Game Players

Beyond the all-rounders, Shastri had his eyes firmly set on three other players who could make a defining impact on the final.

“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,” he noted.

“So from New Zealand, I would say Williamson. To an extent, Rachin 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.”

Both Kohli and Williamson have been in sublime form, each notching up a century and a fifty in the tournament. Rachin Ravindra, on the other hand, has been New Zealand’s breakout star, with two tons under his belt, including a Player of the Match-winning century in the semi-final. If there’s one thing history has taught cricket fans, it’s that finals are often defined by big-match players, and all three fit that bill perfectly.

Will There Be Tactical Tweaks? Shastri Weighs In

With the Dubai pitch proving to be a spinner’s paradise, Shastri was asked whether India or New Zealand might consider any last-minute tweaks to their playing XI. While he didn’t expect drastic changes, he left the door open for minor tactical adjustments.

“I won't be surprised if there might be a change for either side depending on the pitch. Because the pitch we saw against Australia was the best pitch we've seen in the tournament,” Shastri said.

“So the groundsman has another five days since the last game to prepare a surface, and if it's a 280-300 surface like the last one was, you might just want to think about it. But you won't tinker with the side unless necessary.”

India have largely stuck to a settled XI, relying on their formidable spin quartet of Jadeja, Axar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy. New Zealand, however, might consider a tweak, given that they lost to India at this very venue in the group stage.

India Start as Favourites, But Beware of New Zealand!

The head-to-head battle between these two sides in ICC tournaments has been one of the most intriguing in recent history. India, despite being dominant in the group stages, have often struggled against New Zealand when it matters the most. Shastri acknowledged this trend but maintained that India start as slight favourites.

“If there's one team that can beat India, it's New Zealand. So India start as favourites but only just,” he asserted.

His statement carries weight, considering India’s heartbreak in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where they went undefeated throughout the tournament only to fall at the final hurdle against Australia. The Men in Blue will be desperate to avoid a repeat and cap off their dream run with the trophy.

However, New Zealand have built a reputation as giant slayers in ICC tournaments. The Kiwis might have lost their last league game to India, but they pushed Rohit Sharma’s men to the brink, restricting them to 249-9 and making the chase anything but easy.

With their lethal pace attack and Phillips-Ravindra-Williamson trio in form, New Zealand will be quietly confident of their chances. If there’s any team that can defy the odds against an in-form India, it’s the Black Caps.