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And then, there were two. Not the fiercest of rivals, but undoubtedly two of the most competitive teams on the field. You won’t find fiery sledges or heated banter here, just pure, unadulterated cricket at its finest. When these two stride out, you know you’re in for a display of skill, strategy, and sheer athleticism. These are two of the most consistent sides in ICC events in the recent past. Enough buildup? Maybe. But that’s exactly how the cricketing world feels right now. Two strong sides, mirror images of strength and determination, standing tall with everything on the line. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 FINALE is here. In the blue corner, India, a nation’s heartbeat, ready to fight for a billion hopes. In the black corner, New Zealand, the quiet giants, always elevating their game in the ICC events, are poised to challenge. Both teams are storming into the final on the back of semifinal masterclasses, sharpening their swords. Where India defeated their nemesis Australia, a commanding show was put on by New Zealand to get over South Africa. The Men in Blue have faced their fair share of battles against the Blackcaps in recent years, be it the heartbreak of the 2019 World Cup semi-final, the sting of the 2021 WTC Final, or even the surprising 3-0 Test series loss at home. But when it comes to the big stage, records are just numbers. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have set the tone at the top, with Rohit itching to turn his steady 30s and 40s into another ICC century, something he’s done more than anyone else in history. Then there’s Virat Kohli, the chase master, who thrives in these high-pressure events. He’s just a few runs away from overtaking Chris Gayle as the highest run-scorer in Champions Trophy history. Together, these two giants have been the backbone of India’s success in ICC events. And let’s not forget the middle order, which has been firing like a well-oiled machine. Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya, all have stepped up when called upon. But the real game-changer has been India’s bowling unit. No Bumrah? No problem. Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery spin has left batters guessing, while Mohammed Shami has led the pace attack with precision and fire. Ravindra Jadeja has been India’s silent weapon. With 20 wickets, he’s the highest wicket-taker for India in Champions Trophy history. But New Zealand? They’re no strangers and have navigated this territory time and again. Their batting order is oozing confidence, thanks to the consistent brilliance of Rachin Ravindra and the ever-dependable Kane Williamson. Since bursting onto the scene, Rachin has been a revelation for the Kiwis, delivering all-round performances that have turned heads. With two stunning centuries in this tournament, he’s emerged as the most consistent batter on display. And then there’s Williamson, the heart and soul of New Zealand’s batting in ICC events. No Kiwi has scored more runs in ICC tournaments than him, and he’s once again proving why he’s one of the modern greats. Leading the side for the first time in any big competition, Mitchell Santner’s captainship is being admired more than his bowling, which has equally been threatening. Miser with the economy, Santner has picked up seven wickets, he stands joint-third to Chakravarthy. But the real star with the ball for New Zealand has been Matt Henry. Topping the wicket-taking charts with 10 scalps, he’s been the backbone of their attack. And he’s not alone, young Will O’Rourke has stepped up brilliantly, providing crucial support in the pace department. When you peel back the layers, the similarities between these two sides are uncanny, it’s like watching two masterpieces unfold in perfect harmony. At the top of the order, Rohit Sharma’s explosive batting sets the tone for India, but Rachin Ravindra’s adaptability to slot in anywhere gives New Zealand the same dynamic edge. Virat Kohli’s timeless class and ability to thrive under pressure are mirrored by Kane Williamson’s serene yet devastating touch. Both are maestros, crafting innings that feel like poetry in motion. If there’s Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul’s flair, Will Young and Tom Latham are another class apart. In the field, Ravindra Jadeja’s athleticism and sharpness are world-class, but Glenn Phillips isn’t far behind, pulling off gravity-defying catches and saving crucial runs. Hardik Pandya’s all-round brilliance finds its match in Daryl Mitchell, who has repeatedly stepped up for the Kiwis with both bat and ball. And while Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery spin has left batters scratching their heads, Mitchell Santner’s subtle variations and control have been just as effective. With the ball, Mohammed Shami’s seam artistry has been a standout, but Matt Henry has been equally lethal, topping the wicket-taking charts with his precision and consistency. It’s hard to imagine two teams more evenly matched than these. The pitch? Remember the India-Pakistan game? Yep, that same surface will host this grand finale. Last time, 241 was the first-innings score, which tells you this isn’t going to be a high-scoring slugfest. It’s slow, it’s tricky, and it’s going to test the batters’ patience. Forget the big sixes and flashy strike rates, this is all about working the gaps, sprinting those singles, converting ones in twos, and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Both India and New Zealand have mastered the art of strike rotation, a mechanism that sets them apart and makes them perfectly suited for these conditions. Also, even with the ball. With the pitch likely to favor spin, India might lean on Kuldeep Yadav, who’s been in stellar form, along with Axar, Jadeja, and Varun as their other spinners, while New Zealand could stick with their three-spinner combo led by Santner. India has a marginal upper hand as they have played all their games in Dubai and have got enough rest time as well. New Zealand, on the other hand, may have some travel fatigue. Also, the last time these two sides met in the league match, in Dubai itself, India emerged victorious. That, too, was not a run-fest by any means. Can India avenge Nairobi’s upset? Or does New Zealand have their Cairns-McMillan formula intact? Genuine cricketing fans would crack this in a snap. You know that feeling when your heart's in your throat and you're mentally negotiating with the cricket gods? Get ready for seven glorious hours of exactly that. New Zealand aims to break the deadlock of white-ball triumph in ICC events. Meanwhile, India is looking to rewrite its 50-over dominance. Add to this another twist, New Zealand has won two ICC championships to date - the Champions Trophy of 2000 and the ICC World Test Championship 2021. On both occasions, their opponent was India. That's enough for a teaser to the kind of weightage this clash holds. Sit back, relax, a Sunday filled with a blend of emotions and patriotism awaits.