Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

It’s time for the big final of the ICC Champions Trophy (CT) 2025. The two best teams – India and New Zealand – will lock horns in the decider at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. It’s going to be an exciting contest as India is yet to lose a game in the tournament, while New Zealand has lost only one game, which was against India.

The Indian team has been in excellent form. The batters have scored runs consistently and the bowlers have done an excellent job till now. All this is despite Rohit Sharma failing to score big and Shubman Gill getting out cheaply in the last couple of games.

India will need a good start from their openers as the middle order is in good form. In the bowling department, Mohammed Shami will have to step up and pick early wickets with the new ball. Kuldeep Yadav, too, needs to take responsibility in this big game. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s form will be a big boost for the Indian side going into the final of the tournament.

New Zealand, on the other hand, defeated South Africa in the semi-final by 50 runs. Their batting depth came to their rescue in that game when Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips helped them to a big total after a middle-order collapse.

The Kiwis lost their group stage game against India by 44 runs. They looked helpless against Varun Chakaravarthy and they’ll have to be on their toes against him in this game.

The likes of Tom Latham, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell must step up with the bat in this match. The bowlers have done a good job till now, with Matt Henry being the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke will be the important bowlers for the Kiwis.

Mitchell Santner will be the trump card for New Zealand as he can put pressure on the Indian batters in the middle overs. Overall, the Kiwis will have to be at their best with the bat if they are to win this game and the title.

CT 2025 Final: IND vs NZ Possible Playing XIs

India may bring in Harshit Rana for Kuldeep Yadav.

South Africa: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Virat Kohli, 4. Shreyas Iyer, 5. Axar Patel, 6. KL Rahul, 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Ravindra Jadeja, 9. Kuldeep Yadav/Harshit Rana, 10. Mohammed Shami, 11. Varun Chakaravarthy

New Zealand is expected to be unchanged for this game. However, Matt Henry is in doubt due to a shoulder injury.

New Zealand: 1. Will Young, 2. Rachin Ravindra, 3. Kane Williamson, 4. Daryl Mitchell, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. Glenn Phillips, 7. Michael Bracewell, 8. Mitchell Santner (c), 9. Matt Henry/Jacob Duffy/Nathan Smith, 10. Kyle Jamieson, 11. Will O’Rourke

Dubai International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

As per reports, it will be a used wicket for this game. The pitches in Dubai have been on the slower side with good assistance for the spinners. Batters, once set, can play their shots. There has been some swing upfront for the new ball bowlers, but that stops pretty quickly.

It’s expected to be similar for this game as well. Out of four games, three have been won by the chasing side. Despite that, batting first and setting up a good total will be the way to go for this game.

It might be a little cloudy with a high of 21 degrees Celsius on the match day. There’s no chance of rain.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for IND vs NZ: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if you are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.

Top Wicket-Keeper Picks:

• KL Rahul will be the best pick from the wicket-keeping section in fantasy cricket. He has been in good touch and can score big if he gets to face enough deliveries. Rahul averages 58.80 against New Zealand at a strike rate of 106.50 with a century and a fifty in seven innings.

Key batter picks:

• Kane Williamson scored 81 runs in the group stage game against India and a century in the semi-final. He will be a must in your fantasy teams as he can score big on his day. Williamson against India: 1228 runs in 29 innings at an average of 45.40 with 11 fifties and a century.
• Virat Kohli played a match-winning knock in the semi-final against Australia. He has 217 runs in this tournament at an average of 72.33 including a fifty and a hundred. Kohli is a big match player and has a track record of performing under pressure. 
• Rachin Ravindra scored a brilliant hundred in the semi-final. He will be a key player at the top for his side. Rachin scores big when he gets going, and he will bowl a few overs as well. He is the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament with 226 runs in three innings including two centuries.
• Shreyas Iyer has been in sublime touch in ODIs for some time now. He is a good player of spin bowling and likes to bat positively. Iyer scored 79 in the group stage game against the Kiwis. He averages 70.40 against them in eight innings for his 563 runs including two centuries and four fifties.
• Shubman Gill has scored 592 runs in 11 ODIs against New Zealand at an average of 74 including two hundreds and two fifties. He scored his ODI double century against New Zealand back in 2023. Gill will be a key player at the top and will be a must in your fantasy teams.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Axar Patel will fetch points from both bat and ball. He will be a must-pick in your fantasy teams considering his dual value. Axar scored 42 and picked up a wicket in the group stage match against New Zealand. He will be a top C/VC option.
• Mitchell Santner has 15 wickets in 21 ODIs against India at an economy of just 4.75. Santner will enjoy the conditions in this game and can trouble the Indian middle order. He is capable with the bat as well.

Key bowler picks:

• Matt Henry has 21 wickets in 11 games against India in ODIs. If picked, he will be a must in your fantasy teams as he’s in top form in this tournament. Henry picked up five wickets in the last game against India. Try him as C/VC in the big leagues.
• Varun Chakaravarthy picked up a 5-fer in the last game against New Zealand and saw India over the line from a tricky situation. His bowling style will suit the conditions at Dubai and the Kiwis will be extra cautious against him in this match. 

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Team

• Daryl Mitchell has two centuries against India in seven ODIs. He is a good player of spin bowling and can be the game-changer in fantasy cricket.
• Hardik Pandya will fetch points from both batting and bowling. He can win games single-handedly on his day.
• Mohammed Shami has 37 wickets against New Zealand in 15 matches. He went wicketless in the last game against the Kiwis but Shami is the lead pacer for India and can pick up wickets in clusters on his day.

Other Matchups and Facts

• Head to Head (ODIs): India (61), New Zealand (50).
• Virat Kohli vs Matt Henry (ODIs): 67 deliveries, 57 runs, 2 dismissals.
• Kane Williamson vs Mohammed Shami (ODIs): 110 deliveries, 83 runs, 3 dismissals.

CT 2025 Final: IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

CT 2025 Final: IND vs NZ Match Prediction: Who will win?

India are looking like the firm favourites to win the title but it’s going to be a very tough ask for them. The Kiwis will be determined to give their all in this game, and they can dominate the game if they can hold their nerves while batting. But I’ll back India to win this game and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title.