Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand began in difficult fashion, bundled out for 91 in the opening T20I at Christchurch. The visitors were all but out of the contest in the powerplay, mustering 14/4 after being reduced to 1/3 in the first 2.2 overs.
Man of the match Kyle Jamieson (3/8) and Jacob Duffy (4/14) were too good for the inexperienced Pakistani top order. Both quicks got the ball to shape away consistently, causing all sorts of problems against batters who were very indecisive against deliveries in the channel.
Captain Salman Agha (18) and Khushdil Shah (32) led a small recovery with a 46-run stand. However, it could have been much worse with both dropped early, before the visitors crawled to 91 in 18.4 overs in another tough outing following their disappointing performances in ICC events.
The Black Caps made light work of the target. Tim Seifert enjoyed the majority of the strike for his 29-ball 44. Finn Allen (29* off 17 balls) and Tim Robinson (18* off 15 balls) finished off the job with a huge 59 balls to spare.
Reactions to Pakistan 91 all-out: Time for panic or patience?
Adam Bell, close follower of Pakistan cricket and host of The Cricketeers NZ Podcast, believes fans should be patient with this new-look lineup.
“Hope Pakistan fans are keeping some perspective. An inexperienced batting line up in unfamiliar conditions was always going to be challenging. Remember NZ were bowled out for 90 in Pindi last year,” he wrote.
Pakistan cricket correspondent Behram Qazi shares a similar view. “I’m all here to give this team time, and be patient with them. Changing your approach is not an overnight process. Bilaterals don’t matter. That’s what they’re there for,” he wrote.
However, other fans have taken a different view. Pakistan have struggled in T20Is for some time, unable to beat higher-ranked opposition. New Zealand also have inexperienced players, so Pakistan should be performing a lot better.
Here are some of the reactions to Pakistan’s heavy nine-wicket defeat to kickstart the five-match T20I series.
Missed the game today, just seen scorecard. Hope Pakistan fans are keeping some perspective.
An inexperienced batting line up in unfamiliar conditions was always going to be challenging.
Remember NZ were bowled out for 90 in Pindi last year.
Pakistan may well have gotten bowled out for 91, losing the game with 59 deliveries to spare, but I'm all here to give this team time, and be patient with them.
Changing your approach is not an overnight process. Bilaterals don't matter. That's what they're there for.
Lest you forget, it was just four months ago, Pakistan scored 64-9 in a 7 overs T20I in Brisbane and were bowled out for 117 in Hobart. Pakistan have not won a single T20I against higher ranked full-strength teams in more than 2 years. #PakvNZ
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) March 16, 2025
Pakistan have 23 T20Is after the NZ series and PSL to prepare for T20 WC 2026. Plenty of time to experiment and find the best 15. The batters who play high-risk cricket sometimes need 20-30 matches to prove their worth. Saim Ayub scored his first 50 after 27 T20Is.
Kyle Jamieson is an excellent bowler. But he is not the Glenn McGrath clone that this extremely lacklustre Pakistani batting performance is making him look like #NZvPAK
To all the PCT fans, show support rather than judging the young lot. They lack experience and are taking up away series challenge against a few of Champions Trophy 2025 finalists.
The second T20I will be played in Dunedin on Tuesday. It is also an afternoon game (2:15pm start local time), and Pakistan will be looking for a positive turnaround after a tough loss.
The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to get underway on March 22, and the possible 11 of each team is a key topic of conversation. Kolkata Knight Riders are the defending champions, but the mega auction saw plenty of changes across the ten franchises, headlined by record purchases late last year.
In this article, we will look at the possible 11 plus impact player for all franchises for their first games of the IPL 2025 season.
IPL 2025: Possible 11 and impact player for all franchises
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) come into IPL 2025 with some questions around the make up of their XI. Devon Conway has been a key part of their team, but Rachin Ravindra’s form may be too hard to ignore. Sam Curran returns to the franchise and could partner Matheesha Pathirana and Noor Ahmad as the other overseas players. Nathan Ellis, who bowled nicely in the recent Champions Trophy, is another option.
R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are back together. The duo is a big strength for the franchise especially if the Chepauk surface takes spin. Khaleel Ahmed could be the impact player with Mukesh Choudhary another contender.
Possible 11 for first game against Mumbai Indians at Chepauk: 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), 2. Devon Conway (OS), 3. Rachin Ravindra (OS), 4. Shivam Dube, 5. Deepak Hooda, 6. Sam Curran (OS), 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. MS Dhoni (wk), 9. R Ashwin, 10. Matheesha Pathirana (OS), 11. Mukesh Choudhary, 12. Khaleel Ahmed
Delhi Capitals
DC possible 11 for IPL 2025: It’s a big season for Axar Patel.
It has been a bit of a disjointed build up for the Delhi Capitals. Harry Brook opted out of IPL 2025 for personal reasons and KL Rahul is reportedly set to miss the opening two games due to the birth of his child.
Assuming Rahul is out, Faf du Plessis can come in to open with Jake Fraser-McGurk. Abishek Porel, skipper Axar Patel, Sameer Rizvi and Ashutosh Sharma are expected to be the Indian middle order options, along with Protea Tristan Stubbs.
Mitchell Starc will lead the attack alongside a number of experienced campaigners inckuding Mukesh Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, and T Natarajan. Mohit Sharma is an option for impact player.
Possible 11 for first game against Delhi Capitals at Visakhapatnam:1. Faf du Plessis (OS), 2. Jake Fraser-McGurk (OS), 3. Abishek Porel, 4. Tristan Stubbs (OS), 5. Axar Patel (c), 6. Sameer Rizvi, 7. Ashutosh Sharma, 8. Mitchell Starc (OS), 9. Mukesh Kumar, 10. Kuldeep Yadav, 11. T Natarajan, 12. Mohit Sharma
Gujarat Titans
GT possible 11 for IPL 2025: Another big run-scoring season for Shubman Gill?
Squad: Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler, B. Sai Sudharshan, Shahrukh Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Mahipal Lomror, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat, Manav Suthar, Washington Sundar, Gerald Coetzee, Mohmmad Arshad Khan, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Sherfane Rutherford, R. Sai Kishore, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Glenn Phillips, Kareem Janat, Kulwant Khejroliya.
Gujarat Titans (GT) have a number of different options to choose from. However, they will land on a balanced team. Glenn Phillips’ excellent form in all three facets of the game may see him get the nod. The likes of Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan has excellent finishing potential below a top three of Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler and Sai Sudharsan. If GT’s middle order steps up, they can go a long way.
GT also have plenty of variety in their attack. The powerplay quality of Mohammed Siraj. Hit the deck Kagiso Rabada and Prasidh Krishna. Accuracy of Washington Sundar. And, of course, the highest-ever T20 wicket-taker, Rashid Khan. However, can they keep teams in check at the death?
Possible 11 for first game against Punjab Kings at Ahmedabad: 1. Shubman Gill (c), 2. Jos Buttler (OS, wk), 3. Sai Sudharsan, 4. Glenn Phillips (OS), 5. Shahrukh Khan, 6. Rahul Tewatia, 7. Washington Sundar, 8. Rashid Khan (OS), 9. R Sai Kishore, 10. Kagiso Rabada (OS), 11. Mohammed Siraj, 12. Prasidh Krishna
Kolkata Knight Riders
KKR Possible 11 for IPL 2025: Ajinkya Rahane will skipper the team.
Defending champions KKR look strong once again despite changes due to the mega auction. Sunil Narine was outstanding as opener last season, so he will likely have that role again. Quinton de Kock or Rahmanullah Gurbaz will partner him, but KKR may opt for the former given his experience.
Ajinkya Rahane, as captain, will slot in the top four. Given KKR spent so much on Venkatesh Iyer, it would make sense for him to bat at four at the lowest for maximum impact. Angkrish Raghuvanshi is another player to watch, before the finishers – Rinku Singh and Andre Russell – do their thing.
With the ball, Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana are locks. Spencer Johnson may win the overseas pacer slot given his left-arm angle. However, KKR also have the pacy Anrich Nortje to choose from, pending fitness.
Umran Malik is out of the tournament due to injury. Left-arm seamer Chetan Sakariya comes into the KKR squad in his place.
Possible 11 for first game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens: 1. Quinton de Kock (OS, wk), 2. Sunil Narine (OS), 3. Ajinkya Rahane (c), 4. Venkatesh Iyer, 5. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 6. Rinku Singh, 7. Andre Russell (OS), 8. Ramandeep Singh, 9. Harshit Rana, 10. Spencer Johnson (OS), 11. Varun Chakravarthy, 12. Vaibhav Arora
Lucknow Super Giants
LSG possible 11 for IPL 2025: LSG went all out to acquire Rishabh Pant.
Squad: Rishabh Pant (c), David Miller, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Ravi Bisnoi, Abdul Samad, Aryan Juyal, Akash Deep, Himmat Singh, M Siddharth, Digvesh Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akash Singh, Shamar Joseph, Prince Yadav, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Arshin Kulkarni, Matthew Breetzke.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) may have all four overseas players in their top five. Mitchell Marsh will play only as a batsman in this tournament and could open alongside Aiden Markram. Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran and David Miller are set to make up the top five.
Thus, LSG will have an all-Indian frontline bowling attack. Mohsin Khan’s fitness and powerplay exploits will be key. Akash Deep and Avesh Khan are key bowlers, as is Ravi Bishnoi as the lead spinner. Mayank Yadav has a back injury and will miss the first half of the tournament, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Skipper Pant, the most expensive player in IPL history at INR 27 crore, will be seeking a strong start to the tournament.
Possible 11 for first game against Delhi Capitals at Visakhapatnam: 1. Aiden Markram (OS), 2. Mitchell Marsh (OS), 3. Nicholas Pooran (OS), 4. Rishabh Pant (c & wk), 5. David Miller (OS), 6. Ayush Badoni, 7. Shahbaz Ahmed, 8. Avesh Khan, 9. Akash Deep, 10. Mohsin Khan, 11. Ravi Bishnoi, 12. Akash Singh
Mumbai Indians
MI possible 11 for IPL 2025: Hardik Pandya will be seeking a much better campaign than 2024.
Jasprit Bumrah will miss at least the first few games of IPL 2025 due to the back injury that has plagued him since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January. Still, Mumbai Indians (MI) will be banking on the experience of Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar, with Hardik Pandya also looking to contribute more with the ball.
For their first match in Chepauk, MI may have opted for both Mitchell Santner and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. However, Hardik Pandya’s one-game suspension means Corbin Bosch could come into the XII. Legspinner Karn Sharma could be part of the XII as well as a result.
MI’s batting lineup looks mighty powerful. Ryan Rickelton is tipped to partner Rohit Sharma at the top, but Will Jacks is also a strong chance. According to India.com, Naman Dhir, who scored 140 runs at a strike rate of 177.21 in IPL 2024, could bat at three with Suryakumar Yadav at four.
Possible 11 for first game against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Will Jacks/Ryan Rickelton (OS), 3. Naman Dhir, 4. Suryakumar Yadav (c), 5. Tilak Varma, 6. Robin Minz (wk), 7. Corbin Bosch (OS), 8. Mitchell Santner (OS), 9. Raj Bawa, 10. Deepak Chahar, 11. Karn Sharma, 12. Trent Boult (OS)
Punjab Kings
PBKS possible 11 for IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer’s auction amount divided opinion. Can he deliver?
Punjab Kings (PBKS) entered the IPL 2025 mega auction with the biggest purse. They splashed the cash, most notably on Shreyas Iyer, whom they have named as captain.
With coach Ricky Ponting at the helm, expect a strong Australian influence in the XI. Ponting is a known fan of Marcus Stoinis, and Glenn Maxwell is a matchwinner. Also, Josh Inglis’ recent form may prompt PBKS to open with him alongside Prabhsimran Singh. There is also the option of the very impressive Azmatullah Omarzai.
With the ball, PBKS have plenty of options to turn to including their all-rounders. If Lockie Ferguson is fit, he could find a place in the team Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal will be the leaders of the attack. PBKS also have the option of Marco Jansen and Xavier Bartlett as overseas pace bowling options.
Possible 11 for first game against Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad: 1. Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 2. Josh Inglis (OS), 3. Shreyas Iyer (c), 4. Glenn Maxwell (OS), 5. Nehal Wadhera, 6. Marcus Stoinis/Azmatullah Omarzai (OS), 7. Shashank Singh, 8. Harpreet Brar, 9. Lockie Ferguson (OS), 10. Arshdeep Singh, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal, 12. Kuldeep Sen
Rajasthan Royals
RR possible 11 for IPL 2025: Sanju Samson will be crucial to the Royals’ hopes.
Sanju Samson is set to partner the dynamic Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top for Rajasthan Royals (RR). Nitish Rana is expected to bat at three with Riyan Parag to bat at four – a position he excelled in during IPL 2024.
Shimron Hetmyer is crucial to RR’s hopes as their only overseas batsman in the squad. Dhruv Jurel, Shubham Dubey and Wanindu Hasaranga could also be vital to RR’s finishing throughout the season.
On the bowling front, Jofra Archer is back in RR colours. Akash Madhwal and Sandeep Sharma are likely to be his seam-bowling partners, with Sri Lankans Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana the specialist spin options. Fazalhaq Farooqi is another option RR may wish to go with depending on conditions, but the lack of all-rounders in their squad means two specialist spinners is a necessity.
Possible 11 for first game against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Hyderabad: 1. Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2. Sanju Samson, 3. Nitish Rana, 4. Riyan Parag (c), 5. Shimron Hetmyer (OS), 6. Dhruv Jurel (wk), 7. Shubham Dubey, 8. Wanindu Hasaranga (OS), 9. Jofra Archer (OS), 10. Maheesh Theekshana (OS), 11. Akash Madhwal, 12. Sandeep Sharma
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB possible 11 for IPL 2025: Will Rajat Patidar deliver as captain?
Rajat Patidar will lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a big campaign for the franchise, but what will their XII look like?
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt and Rajat Patidar should form the top three. However, what comes after may be up for debate. Should Krunal Pandya bat as high as four given RCB have a plethora of right-handers? Do they risk Devdutt Padikkal in that role given he’s struggled there in the past? Where does Liam Livingstone bat?
With the ball, Josh Hazlewood returns. He and Bhuvneshar Kumar are key in delivering control, especially at the batting-friendly Chinnaswamy. Yash Dayal was impressive last season and should get a start.
Spin is a question for RCB to get right. Partnering Krunal is likely to be either legspinner Suyash Sharma or left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh.
Possible 11 for first game against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens: 1. Virat Kohli, 2. Phil Salt (OS), 3. Rajat Patidar (c), 4. Krunal Pandya, 5. Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6. Liam Livingstone (OS), 7. Tim David (OS), 8. Rasikh Salam Dar, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Josh Hazlewood (OS), 11. Yash Dayal, 12. Suyash Sharma/Swapnil Singh
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), last year’s finalists, look very powerful once again, adding Ishan Kishan to their strong batting lineup. Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma are locks as arguably the most dynamic opening partnership in the competition. Nitish Kumar Reddy is said to be fit after recovering from a side strain. And, of course, Heinrich Klaasen rounds off a quality top five.
SRH look stronger bowling wise compared to last season. Pat Cummins captains a bowling attack comprising of plenty of experience. Expect Mohammed Shami, Harshal Patel, Adam Zampa and Rahul Chahar to start, with Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head able to provide overs as well if needed.
Possible 11 for first game against Rajasthan Royals at Hyderabad: 1. Travis Head (OS), 2. Abhishek Sharma, 3. Ishan Kishan, 4. Nitish Kumar Reddy, 5. Heinrich Klaasen (OS, wk), 6. Aniket Verma, 7. Abhinav Manohar, 8. Pat Cummins (OS, c), 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Adam Zampa (OS), 11. Rahul Chahar, 12. Harshal Patel
ICC chairman Jay Shah has come in for criticism after posing with Rohit Sharma following India’s victory against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final. The official ICC account tweeted two photos of Shah and Rohit – one with the Champions Trophy and another with the Champions Trophy and 2024 T20 World Cup – and this hasn’t sat well with fans.
There was plenty of controversy and discussions before and during the tournament about India’s involvement in Dubai. Despite India’s excellent performance, critics pointed to the preferential treatment received by playing at one ground while other teams had to travel thousands of kilometres in contrast. Also, no Pakistan cricket official was present during the post-final presentation ceremony.
Hence, the ICC chair posing with the winning captain has not gone down well, even among some Indian fans.
Fans react to Jay Shah posing with Rohit Sharma and Champions Trophy in Dubai
Fans believe Shah, as ICC chair, should have a more neutral stance. He has been seen celebrating India’s victory with the players, before the photos with captain Rohit.
“This has sort of crossed the line which it shouldn’t have. We all know you’re not actually neutral, but you can avoid blatantly showing that at this stage,” wrote a fan on X.
“Someone needs to tell this clown that ICC doesn’t stand for Indian Cricket Council. Corruption at its finest,” wrote another fan.
Here are some other reactions from fans criticising the photos posted to social media.
Jay Shah posing with Rohit with the T20 WC trophy and Champions Trophy? Like, why? He’s not the BCCI secretary. He’s an ICC chairman now. Can he, for once, act like he is holding a neutral chair?
Everything was fine, but this has sort of crossed the line which it shouldn’t have.…
— Caribbean Cricket Podcast (@CaribCricket) March 11, 2025
Hahaha, could they be any more obvious? Someone needs to tell this clown that ICC doesn’t stand for Indian Cricket Council. Corruption at its finest. 🤡🤡🤡
Why is the ICC chairman posing with the trophy? Would he have done so had Pakistan won? Seems like a political stunt , piggybacking on team India’s excellent tournament. https://t.co/hrr7pFIKZs
— Nawab Hassan Hussein Qureshi (@HtotheQ) March 10, 2025
So the former BCCI Chair, now the ICC chair, poses with the trophy with the captain of India, in Dubai, when the tournament was supposed to be held in Pakistan, and India didn’t play a single game there, and the final was moved to Dubai as well…… not even hiding it haha https://t.co/NNiGerEpWA
India picked up their second ICC trophy in a row after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup. They went unbeaten in both tournaments, part of a record that stretches to 23 wins in their past 24 games in ICC events. However, despite such a fantastic record, the general consensus is that India are getting too many advantages, including knowing where their T20 World Cup semi-final would be played in advance.
What are your thoughts? Should Jay Shah be more neutral in light of what took place during and after the Champions Trophy? Leave a comment or get in touch with @cric_blog on X.
Matt Henry, New Zealand’s attack leader, was visibly distraught after failing a final fitness test ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy Final against India. His shoulder injury, suffered while taking the catch of Heinrich Klaasen in the semi-final, was a body blow to the Black Caps’ hopes of a first ICC white-ball trophy since 2000 given his powerplay exploits.
Henry’s absence meant New Zealand had a target batting first. They realistically needed 280 to challenge India’s long batting lineup without his powerplay threat. Following Kuldeep Yadav’s quick double strike at the start of the middle overs’ period, the Black Caps struggled, with Michael Bracewell’s cameo eventually taking them over the psychological 250-run barrier.
However, a strong Indian powerplay would give them a huge headstart in the chase. Rohit Sharma took advantage. The captain led the way as India hit 59 off the first eight overs against Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith, who all couldn’t replicate what Henry often produces.
We missed Matt Henry in the final – Mitchell Santner
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner admitted his side missed Matt Henry. The seamer finished with the most wickets (10), including five against India last week.
“He was the leading wicket-taker going into this game, and he’s an outstanding bowler, as we’ve seen,” Santner said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “He seems to be able to nip it on wickets that don’t look like they should nip, so I guess we missed that today. I feel for Matty. He’s a massive team man, and he looked pretty distraught.”
Santner’s point about Henry nipping the ball is spot on. Since the start of 2023, Henry has taken 16 wickets in the powerplay at an economy of just 4.31. He has dismissed Rohit Sharma twice for 59 runs (SR 100) and Shubman Gill twice for 62 runs (SR 76.5), so his absence left a big hole as the Black Caps aimed to defend a total which looked at least 30 runs short.
“Absolutely gutted for Matt Henry,” said former New Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee on ESPNcricinfo’sMatchDay program before the final commenced. “He’s been the key man in one-day cricket for New Zealand for some time. Coming off a five-for against India and at that ground as well, so massive loss for New Zealand.”
The Black Caps fought admirably in the middle overs, picking up Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in a ten-over period that saw them come right back into the game. However, India’s excellent depth came to the fore, with Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel and KL Rahul all play vital knocks.
“After the start [we had with the bat], we were probably thinking of a score around 275 or 280,” said Santner. “Credit has to go to Kuldeep for the way he bowled straight after the powerplay, and Varun inside the powerplay.”
Australia fan Charbel with his reaction to India's win in the Champions Trophy.
India have won their second ICC trophy in nine months, prevailing by four wickets in the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) against New Zealand in Dubai, sparking widespread reactions.
Having lost an incredible 15th consecutive coin toss in ODIs, India were asked to bowl first. Rachin Ravindra made an excellent start, forcing Rohit Sharma to introduce spin early. For New Zealand, however, their backs were against the wall from the 11th over onwards as Ravindra (37) and Kane Williamson (11) fell in quick succession to the excellent Kuldeep Yadav to leave the Black Caps tottering at 75/3 in the 13th over.
From there, it was a struggle for New Zealand as the four-pronged spin attack took hold of the game. Daryl Mitchell struggled, batting 101 balls for 63, as he and Glenn Phillips (34 off 52 balls) enabled them to go deeper into the innings. However, they needed more strike rotation as an above-par score was a necessity with Matt Henry unavailable to injury. In the end, Michael Bracewell’s excellent half century (53* off 40 balls) took them past 250.
Such a total was realistically only going to be enough if New Zealand could strike early. Henry’s absence left a big hole. Rohit Sharma took advantage, taking the seamers to all parts of the Dubai International Stadium as India finished the powerplay with a big headstart at 64/0.
The next 8.4 overs yielded just 29 as the spinners came to the fore. Shubman Gill struggled, and was out to another Phillps blinder. New Zealand then had to squeeze, and they did. Virat Kohli was out second ball, and Rohit fell to the pressure, skipping down and swinging wildly in the 27th over. The Black Caps had hope with two of India’s big guns gone. But India, with such excellent middle order depth, kept their noses in front.
Shreyas Iyer (48) and Axar Patel (29) settled proceedings. From there, the excellent KL Rahul, usually so reliable in ODIs, was there at the end as he was against Australia, finishing with 34 off 33 balls.
Twitter Reactions to India winning the 2025 CT Final against New Zealand
Ravindra Jadeja’s winning runs sparked celebrations both at the stadium and online. India have now won 23 of their past 24 matches in ICC events, with the only defeat that day in Ahmedabad.
“Let’s be honest India are the best team in the world in white ball cricket by a decent margin .. Throughly deserved to Win .. T20 holders/Champions trophy holders .. Now down to rest to try and catch up,” wrote Michael Vaughan on X.
Here are some of the reactions to the 2025 CT Final.
Let’s be honest India are the best team in the world in white ball cricket by a decent margin .. Throughly deserved to Win .. T20 holders/Champions trophy holders .. Now down to rest to try and catch up .. #India
Axar Patel doesn't have those stand out performances in this CT but every game this guy has contributed at crucial juncture both with the bat & ball. Those 20s, 30s building partnerships are worth so much.
Wow, how did I miss this post earlier? It’s unreal how much Rahul has been disrespected and targeted. India should be grateful for him in this format. https://t.co/R4qEWZfMoQ
Across the three ICC events in the past two years – the 2023 ODI World Cup, last year’s T20 World Cup and this Champions Trophy – India have won 23 games out of 24.
An incredible record, reflecting a team who simultaneously have great batting and bowling depth
Best side in the tournament & in general won the CT. Hard to see India not sweeping white ball tournaments for the next decade. A full strength Aus is probably their biggest obstacle, but Aus' key players are all in their 30s. A lot of ground for the rest to make on India.
Thoroughly deserved win from India 🇮🇳 🤝 your quartet of spinners were outstanding today to squeeze NZ to a below par score. . NZ fought hard as expected and after a fine campaign they were beaten by a better team on the day…..that’s sport 🖤🤍#ChampionsTrophy2025#INDvsNZ
Also jeez NZ. India were the best team in the tournament and had some well documented advantages but that nz took them that close, especially after that start to the chase, is really something.
Nothing more to be said about this team. Perhaps the best Indian white ball side of all time, these last 3 years. Exceptional depth and talent. And Rohit's insistence on 6 bowlers and 8 batters paid off big time. He always wanted that. What a bunch of champions. Elated for them.
Selecting Varun by dropping Jaiswal was the biggest move by Gambhir. No one thought he would play ahead of Kuldeep when India already had Axar and Jadeja in the playing XI. Credit where it's due. 👏👏
KL Rahul nailed the role that Rahul Dravid used to do in the ODIs perfectly. Mind you both weren't a natural fit in those lower middle order spots but they gave in for the team. Rahul's knocks in semis and final was so reminiscent of Dravid's knock vs Pakistan in 2003 WC
Rohit cannot replicate what Kohli does in the middle overs.
We have to respect both and not be in a cat fight about it.
— ParteekNotPrateek (@randomcricfacts) March 9, 2025
Kuldeep wasn't as effective in 2019, he has comeback as much improved bowler with few technical adjustments. Same case with Chakravarthy. Bumrah came back more dangrous after injury. Meanwhile, Pakistani cricketers keep regressing once they lose their way. No system.
Imagine being on the verge of getting dropped from the team
Kohli got injured, he played that matched Scored a blistering half century Came to ct, scored in league games, scored in knockouts 2nd highest run scorer in CT Already had a 500 runs wc with an all timer knock in sf❤️ https://t.co/f3tgk8NIyF
For New Zealand, it is another case of so close, yet so far. They have reached multiple white-ball finals in the past decade (2015 ODI WC, 2019 ODI WC, 2021 T20 WC and 2025 ODI CT) but have fallen short each time. Their next attempt will be the T20 World Cup in India next year.
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.
Controversial… Do you think India should consider this selection for the Champions Trophy Final?
—–
Catch our tactical preview of the #INDvNZ CT Final:
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.
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:
CT 2025 Final: IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
CT 2025 Final: IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction
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.
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
As the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) final looms on the horizon in Dubai, the India-New Zealand showdown promises a fascinating tactical battle. Both teams have relied on settled lineups, but given the conditions and matchups, there certainly is a case for slight tactical adjustments.
New Zealand faces a call: inject Devon Conway’s spin-playing finesse or preserve their bowling depth. For India, the question is whether a tweak in their spin arsenal could help counter a left-hand-heavy Kiwi lineup.
What follows is an exploration of the tactical tweaks that could shape this high-stakes duel.
India vs New Zealand CT 2025 Final Tactical Analysis: Go with the same team or make a bold call?
New Zealand’s Batting Puzzle: Conway for Young or Jamieson?
New Zealand must weigh the risk-reward equation in their batting order. Will Young’s form has dipped since his brilliant hundred against Pakistan, making Devon Conway a compelling alternative. His proficiency against spin, coupled with his left-handed presence, could add another layer of complexity to the plans of India’s left-arm duo, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
CT 2025 Final Tactical Preview: Should New Zealand find a spot for Devon Conway?
One path is a straightforward swap: Conway for Young. This preserves the bowling attack, with Kyle Jamieson’s pace alongside Will O’Rourke and spearhead Matt Henry, while Conway slots into the top order.
A bolder move beckons, though: could Conway replace Jamieson? With Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips offering credible bowling options — capable of delivering tight overs of spin — New Zealand could deepen their batting by swapping Conway for Jamieson, a shift the conditions might well favour. From India’s perspective, Rachin and Phillips could pose a sterner challenge than Jamieson, whose overs beyond the Powerplay might present an opportunity to seize control.
Conway’s inclusion bolsters the middle order against spin, his left-handedness adding a layer to combat India’s attack, while Mitchell Santner at No. 9 lends substantial depth. This setup frees the top order to attack early against the softer ball — particularly in a chase — with a safety net of wickets in hand.
India’s Spin Conundrum: Sundar over Kuldeep?
India, however, could pre-empt New Zealand’s move. Anticipating Conway’s inclusion, they might turn to an off-spinner like Washington Sundar — a tactic that doubles as a shield against New Zealand’s broader left-heavy lineup, with as many as four (or five, if Conway plays) left-handers in their top eight.
One could argue that both Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar spin the ball left-to-right, their stock deliveries turning away from left-handers. The choice between them, however, hinges on form and fit.
Kuldeep, despite his undeniable brilliance, has struggled to recapture his peak since his return. A noticeable dip in pace has blunted his effectiveness, allowing batters to sit deep and play him comfortably off the back foot.
Kuldeep Yadav has struggled in ICC knockout games, especially in ODIs 🇮🇳👀
Sundar’s quick off-spin, by contrast, offers a compelling alternative. His bowling style could prove particularly effective on a slow Dubai track, posing greater challenges to batters than Kuldeep’s wrist-spin in its current form. He could exploit the surface more effectively, especially against a lineup leaning on left-handers to dominate spin.
Beyond his bowling, Sundar’s inclusion further deepens India’s batting – much like Conway’s would for New Zealand, as discussed earlier. It grants the top order license to be more aggressive against the newer, harder ball. Moreover, it gives India another left-handed option, one that could be floated up the order if Santner’s craft triggers a middle-overs collapse.
The Toss: A Case for Batting First
The toss could prove a defining moment in Dubai, with both teams likely itching to bat first. Dew is unlikely to tilt the scales, leaving the prospect of chasing against either side’s elite spin a daunting task. India’s semi-final pursuit was aided by a weakened Australian attack (and a Kohli masterclass). Here, whether it’s India chasing a New Zealand total or the other way around, batting second on a slowing pitch will be a tough challenge.
CT 2025 Final Tactical Preview: Virat Kohli has been superb when chasing, but India may want to bat fist.
Gill’s Battle: Powerplay and Beyond
For India, the game’s pulse may hinge on Shubman Gill’s early tussle with Henry and Jamieson/O’Rourke. If Gill can weather the early swing and seam movement, he not only lays a foundation but also positions himself to be India’s key figure against New Zealand’s spinners in the middle overs.
With Axar Patel, he’ll be key to manoeuvring Santner and the rest of New Zealand’s spin brigade through the middle overs. India’s aim will be to prevent a mid-innings stumble by keeping wickets intact and the scoring rate steady — a balance Gill and Axar will be key to striking — knowing the Black Caps’ death-bowling struggles offer a chance to capitalize late.
Will New Zealand bolster their batting with Conway or stick with Jamieson’s pace? Can India unleash Sundar’s off-spin to counter the Kiwis’ left-heavy lineup, or will Kuldeep rediscover his spark at the eleventh hour? With the toss likely crucial and Gill’s role key in shaping the middle overs, every decision could tip the balance. In a game of fine margins, the team that masters these tactical battles may well take home the trophy.
It’s more heartache for South Africa in a semi final of an ICC ODI tournament, this time losing by 50 runs to New Zealand in the Champions Trophy. The Proteas, who looked very impressive in the group stage, put on a disappointing all-round show, lacking intensity and belief in the field before a batting display that never really had them in the hunt chasing 363.
The superb Black Caps took advantage of lacklustre South African bowling and fielding in the final ten overs, pummelling 110 after centuries by Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson set up the innings perfectly. That sluggishness then transferred over to the batting, with the Proteas not taking advantage of the powerplay to try get ahead of the run rate.
The blame game is being pointed every which way on social media. Truth be told, just about every player could look back on that match and say they had it in them to produce better. Lungi Ngidi was the best out of South Africa’s seam attack who had a tough outing overall. In the chase, South Africa’s run rate was 5.60 after 10 overs and 5.35 after 20, with debates rife around Temba Bavuma’s approach in particular. They needed a Heinrich Klaasen special, but he was out in such disappointing fashion for a player of his class with 196 needed off 129 balls at that point.
The Proteas had to be perfect in the final 30 overs, and they were far from it.
South Africa fans dissect disappointing Semi Final loss to New Zealand in Lahore
Even David Miller’s 67-ball 100 caused debate, with critics questioning why he didn’t go harder earllier. However, so much damage had been done, with the Proteas only reducing the margin of defeat.
Ultimately, it is another case of what could have been for South Africa in a Semi Final. Here are some of the reactions to the 50-run loss, including some fascinating insights from passionate Proteas fans.
At that point, the game was done. There's no coming back and winning a 140 off 10 overs with a No.10.
It's the usual South African batting fumble in big games at the top. Be it 1999, 2011 or 2015, overcautious starts more often than not led to their downfall.
The game was done around the 40th over. People coming for Miller are just looking at excuses to deflect away from where the real problems were.
-Poor bowling & fielding -horrendous PP with the bat when chasing 360. -Temba,RVD,Markram & HK all giving it away after getting in. pic.twitter.com/37eICxXOfF
People are insane. I love and adore klaasen. But yesterday was just disheartening seeing him like that. First as the wk. Pissed me off there already. And then the batting. If i can even call it that.
— Big Lenka AKA Big Bozo🐯🐅 (@Jadejirre) March 6, 2025
I know Miller went on and made a century in the end, but the approach was still a frustrating one and the reason I won't rate this 100 as highly
He was on 47*(45) in the 47th over and just taking singles
By the time he really took the attack to NZ, we needed 99 off 3 overs
A whole paragraph criticizing David who had literally NO support, was he supposed to perform miracles?
Where are the paragraphs criticizing the other seniors in the team who had brain fades? https://t.co/aDnF5wPloS
— 🇿🇦🇿🇦 Sabeeha Majid 🏏/DA Miller stan account❤️ (@SabeehaMajid) March 6, 2025
Why am I seeing Miller slander lol? As if he's the one who lost them the game. This would've been a match-sealing knock if the top order had done its job.
— Rishikeshwaran CA (@RishikeshwaranC) March 5, 2025
Absolutely childish from Klaasen. There was no need for that short. I'm realizing that NZ deserves the fight for Final against India if these guys are doing this rubbish. Haaybo#SAvNZ
Australia were in the game with their C team right till the end against India and here we have a full strength South African team losing by 100 runs to NZ. Completely outplayed in all 3 aspects of the game. #SAvNZ
Not even angry or heartbroken with us getting knocked out. It's the lack of intent, playing aggression-less cricket. Nonchalant act by many players. We didn't choke. We never even took a bite. Well played New Zealand. Deserving finalists.#SAvNZ
The Proteas deserve the flak they get today. Heavily outplayed in the Champs Trophy semi. But critics are so wide of the mark when they reel off SA mega-names from the past 2-3 decades, as if they'd have made the key difference. Hello? They kept coming up short at ICC level too!!
IND vs AUS CT 2025 Semi Final Twitter reactions: “While Virat Kohli is there, everyone in that dressing room, and everyone in India, feels secure.” Nasser Hussain described the situation perfectly as the final ten overs of India’s run chase of 265 began, as Virat sought to seal a chase in typical Virat fashion.
In the end, Kohli’s 84, set up by magnificent strike rotation once again, laid the groundwork for the excellent KL Rahul (42* off 34 balls) to take over, as India beat archrivals Australia by four wickets and 11 balls to spare in Dubai to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy Final.
IND vs AUS CT 2025 Semi Final Twitter Reactions – Virat Kohli won man of the match for his 84 (98)
With India 43/2 in the eighth over, Australia sensed an opening. Kohli and Shreyas Iyer (45) combined for a very solid 89-run stand that kept India ahead of the game. The former hit just five fours in his 98-ball stay, still maintaining a strike rate of 85-90 right throughout the innings thanks to expert placement.
8,000 runs represents a wonderful ODI career. During the innings, Kohli brought up 8,000 runs while chasing in ODIs alone. The impressive Rahul also brought up a landmark, notching 3,000 ODI runs at an average close to 50. A string of dot balls from Hardik Pandya would have made some fans feel uneasy after Kohli surprisingly gave his wicket away, but his fabulous hitting against Adam Zampa ensured India were safe. Rahul then ended things with a six in the penultimate over.
Hardik's tactics at the death are very very risky. Came good today, but won't happen most times.
Australia tried hard, but lacked the strike power needed to take wickets at crucial times with so much experience missing. The attack, marshalled so well by Steve Smith, has done a good holding job all tournament, but defending a total against a quality batting lineup like India’s always looked a tall order on a fresh Dubai track. They held on and took the game as deep as they could, but India were always ahead, especially with Australia dropping chances, most notably Kohli on 51.
This factor is perhaps why Australia looked to go harder with the bat earlier than some expected. Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell were dismissed in consecutive overs, leaving Australia six down by the 38th in a period that swung the game in India’s favour. From 198/4 after 36.3 overs to 264 all-out, Australia’s total looked at least 30 short. Smith’s ultra-aggressive shot, Maxwell’s short stay, and Alex Carey’s lack of strike in the final ten proved mighty costly for Australia.
IND vs AUS CT 2025 Semi Final Twitter Reactions: India qualify for third-straight Champions Trophy Final
Earlier, Steve Smith hit another half-century in an ICC knockout game. Alex Carey also played magnificently for his 57-ball 61 to have Australia hoping for a 280+ score. However, it wasn’t meant to be for the team despite a big effort in the field.
“It’s India’s trophy for me,” tweeted Michael Vaughan. Here are some of the reactions to India’s victory.
The problem for the rest of the world in White ball cricket is that India have another team that could play and they are equally as good … the Aussies to push them so close was a great effort with so many missing … It’s India’s trophy for me … #ChampionsTrophy2025
When the chips are you, it's now or never, pressure is the highest, it's him who stands up most times (exceptions are always there) #INDvAUS#ChampionsTrophy
India goes into the CT Final as overwhelming favorites. Who they get doesn't really matter. Both SA & NZ are fantastic sides but playing IND at Dubai in conditions which suit them to a tee and a venue They've played all their games at will be a massive challenge#ChampionsTrophy
Ever since Iyer and Kohli added 50 to their partnership, Australia has been in need of not one but two wickets in a row. India never lost wickets in clumps and have never been under too much pressure to score a boundary. #INDvAUS
We should hold our heads up high though. Making the Semi finals is a huge achievement given the players we had unavailable and We fought till the very end like always. 🇦🇺❤️
Looking at the end result I'm very disappointed with Australia. If it was a one sided match wouldn't be bothered at all. Reality is they were 30 runs short and would've had a great opportunity of winning this game. 265 was a par score but not match winning.
— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) March 4, 2025
The chase master iced another chase "when it mattered the most"
Rohit Sharma as a Captain in White-ball ICC Tournaments:
– Semi final in T20I WC 2022. – Final in World Cup 2023. – Champions in T20I WC 2024. – Qualified into the Final in Champions Trophy 2025* pic.twitter.com/9zNpbxG4pZ
So uncharacteristic for Virat to not finish the chase after being so close to it, but he has left the team at the cusp of a victory here. I regret him not getting a century here, but this one goes right into his catalogue of great ODI knocks, much much above many of his centuries
Aus were at least 20 runs short. But we also saw that there's a huge gulf between their first choice attack and bowlers who played today. Apart from Ellis/Zampa, none of the others would be near the squad in normal circumstances #ChampionsTrophy#Cricket
— MediumPaceDobbler (@MediumPaceDobb1) March 4, 2025
Fair effort from this inexperienced Aussie bowling attack to drag the match so deep but India are just a superb ODI team right now #ChampionsTrophy#IndvAus
That Rahul scream after hitting that six felt personal. The guy must have really spent lots of sleepless nights thinking about his 2023 WC Final knock. Nice to see him take India over the line here.
So, who do we want in the final? New Zealand or South Africa?😛
— TheRandomCricketPhotosGuy (@RandomCricketP1) March 4, 2025
Whilst it does suck that the Champions Trophy final won't take place in Lahore, India have by far been the best outfit in this entire competition.
They are deserved finalists, and it really is their tournament to lose 🇮🇳
Good win by India. A batting performance that will give them a lot of confidence going into the final. Kohli paced his knock from his template of old (kept the required rate in check with minimal risks), the middle order chipped in, and most importantly, KL Rahul stayed till the…
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) March 4, 2025
98 overs of quality cricket to witness the greatness of Nathan Ellis
— Random Cricket Stats (@randomcricstat) March 4, 2025
AUS did really well today. Won a good toss, got a good score. Stayed in the game… a bit short on both quality and depth compared to IND. Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood, and it might have been closer.
Inexperience bowling and dropped catches -of all people off Rohit and Virat and of all people by Marnus and Maxwell- costed Australia a knock out contest.
India will play either South Africa or New Zealand in the final on Sunday. No matter who they come up against, Rohit Sharma’s team will be the red-hot favourites given their depth and increased familiarity in these conditions.
It’ll be the Proteas and Kiwis in what promises to be a brilliant 2nd Semi Final of the ICC Champions Trophy (CT) 2025. Both teams have been in good form in the tournament, and there is sure to be fireworks at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
For South Africa, the big question is whether they can overcome the hurdle of the semi-final of an ICC ODI tournament. They are coming to this game on the back of a dominating 7-wicket win against England. They’ve been in great form as a team with their batters and bowlers performing exceptionally well in the group stages. Heinrich Klaasen scored 64* in his first game of the tournament, which is a great sign for the Proteas.
Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram have been in good touch as well and skipper Temba Bavuma and Rickelton have also looked good at the top. The pacers were in exceptional form in the last game. The spin department is something that can trouble the Proteas, but apart from that, they look strong.
On the other hand, New Zealand will be confident in this game. They lost their last game against India by 44 runs but before that, they were in excellent touch. They defeated Pakistan and Bangladesh quite comfortably. They are also looking pretty balanced as a side ahead of the semi-final.
The Kiwis need a little more consistency from their batters in this do-or-die game. The likes of Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell and Glenn Philips must do well with the bat. Matt Henry has been in top form with the ball and Will O’Rourke has also bowled well. New Zealand will fancy their chances if they can maintain their composure with the bat in this game.
CT 2025 2nd Semi Final: SA vs NZ Possible Playing XIs
Temba Bavuma should replace Tristan Stubbs for South Africa.
South Africa: 1. Ryan Rickelton (wk), 2. Temba Bavuma (c), 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. Aiden Markram, 5. Heinrich Klaasen, 6. David Miller, 7. Wiaan Mulder, 8. Marco Jansen, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Keshav Maharaj, 11. Lungi Ngidi
New Zealand is expected to be unchanged for this game.
New Zealand: 1. Will Young, 2. Rachin Ravindra, 3. Kane Williamson, 4. Daryl Mitchell, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. Glenn Phillips (c), 7. Michael Bracewell, 8. Mitchell Santner, 9. Matt Henry, 10. Kyle Jamieson, 11. Will O’Rourke
Gaddafi Cricket Stadium Lahore Pitch Report and Weather
The Gaddafi Stadium has been the best venue for batting in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Australia chased down 351 runs against England here, and England almost chased 325 against Afghanistan. The ball will come onto the bat nicely, allowing the batters to play their shots.
There was ample help for the pacers with the new ball in the last game played here, where the Australians found swing against Afghanistan. However, a bright sunny day awaits the fans with a high of 21 degrees Celsius on the match day. There is no chance of rain.
Spinners will get little to no assistance. Scores in the range of 320-350 are expected. Teams are expected to chase if they win the toss.
Fantasy Cricket Tips for SA 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:
Ryan Rickelton will be a key batter for his side at the top. He will enjoy batting in this game and will be in for a big score if he gets past the new ball burst from the Kiwis. Rickelton will be a top fantasy pick.
Heinrich Klaasen will be a must in your fantasy teams. He will be a great C/VC choice as well. He’s been in excellent touch with the bat. Klaasen’s last two scores in ODIs are 64 and 84. He will be the key batter for his side in the middle overs of this match.
Key batter picks:
Kane Williamson has an excellent record against South Africa in ODIs: 803 runs in 18 innings at an average of 57.40 with three fifties and three centuries. He scored 133 in their last meeting in the tri-series ahead of the Champions Trophy. Kane will be a top C/VC pick as well.
Rassie van der Dussen scored 72* in the last game. He’s been in terrific form lately and will be a top pick in fantasy cricket. Rassie has played two ODIs against New Zealand, and his scores are 133 and 67*. Try him as C/VC in the big leagues.
Rachin Ravindra will bat in the top order and is expected to bowl a few overs as well. He can score big on his day, which we saw in the game against Bangladesh. Ravindra will enjoy batting at Lahore and will fancy his chances of a good outing if he can see off the new ball burst from the Proteas.
Top all-rounder picks:
Aiden Markam scored 52* in the first game and didn’t bat in the last one. He has been in good form with the bat and he’s expected to bowl more overs in this match. Markram will be a good fantasy pick.
Marco Jansen picked up three wickets in the last match against England. He has played only one ODI against the Kiwis and picked up three wickets in that game. Jansen is capable with the bat and will fetch points from both batting and bowling.
Glenn Phillips is a key batter for the Kiwis in the lower middle order. He can tonk the ball and is a good player of spin bowling. He is electric in the field and will fetch points from fielding as well. Phillips against South Africa in ODIs: 88 runs in two innings, including a fifty.
Key bowler picks:
Kagiso Rabda has 13 wickets in eight games against New Zealand in ODIs. He will be a must in your fantasy teams as he’s in top form in the tournament and can fetch good points on his day.
Matt Henry is the lead bowler for the Kiwis. He is the highest wicket-taker of the tournament, with eight wickets in three games. Henry picked up five wickets in the last game against India.
Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Team
Daryl Mitchell can be your game-changer in fantasy cricket. He will bat at 4 and can score big, especially on a good batting track. Mitchell has 34 runs in two innings against South Africa in ODIs.
David Miller is another player who can help you win big in fantasy cricket if he gets going. He averages 24.80 against the Kiwis in 14 innings, but do try him in the big leagues, especially while chasing.
Wiaan Mulder bowled well in the last game and is capable with the bat as well. He can be a good fantasy pick as well considering his dual value with batting and bowling.
Mitchell Santner will fancy his chances in this game as South Africa’s batting unit is filled with right-hand batters. He can pick up 2-3 wickets easily on his day and not to forget that he can contribute with the bat as well.
Keshav Maharaj took four wickets in the only ODI he has played against the Kiwis. Try him in the grand leagues.
Other Matchups and Facts
Head to Head (ODIs): South Africa (42), New Zealand (26).
Mitchell Santner vs David Miller (ODIs): 34 deliveries, 18 runs, 2 dismissals.
Mitchell Santner vs Heinrich Klaasen(ODIs): 6 deliveries, 1 run, 1 dismissal.
CT 2025 2nd Semi Final: SA vs NZ Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
CT 2025 2nd Semi Final: SA vs NZ Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
CT 2025 2nd Semi Final: SA vs NZ Dream11 Prediction
CT 2025 2nd Semi Final: SA vs NZ Match Prediction: Who will win?
Both teams are looking good, with great batting depth and a quality bowling attack. However, the South African batters have been in better form compared to the New Zealand batters and that gives them a little edge ahead of the clash. I think South Africa will win this match.
Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.
