‘They will not bottle it, they won’t choke’- Nasser Hussain backs New Zealand in Champions Trophy 2025 final vs India

India will play New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final on March 9 in Dubai. Former England captain Nasser Hussain has backed the Black Caps to fight hard, even though India is the tournament’s only undefeated team and the clear favourite going into the match. Hussain refuted any ideas that New Zealand will falter under duress by pointing out their capacity to succeed on the major stages.

The Kiwis have been the one side that has regularly competed in the ICC events and been recognised for their skills for more than 10 years. Hussain talked about how New Zealand has a history of stepping up when things get tough. remembering an exchange with Aaron Finch, a former batter for Australia.

They won’t choke, they won’t bottle it. “New Zealand is never a team that beat themselves,” said Aaron Finch, a former Australia batter, during our dinner conversation. And by that, he means that they will perform and rock out. They will always be present at semi-finals and finals because they have some extremely tough cricket players throughout the New Zealand roster who show up to every match and give it their all,” he told Sky Sports.

Even if they lose, it will be because India defeated them: Nasser Hussain

In the meantime, the Kiwis easily defeated South Africa by 50 runs in the semi-final, advancing them to the final. On a used surface, the Mitchell Santner-led team’s well-rounded bowling assault, especially in spin, may be a potent weapon. India has previously been hampered by their fast bowlers. India had trouble in the group stage encounter because of the movement their pacers created early in the innings.

Hussain thinks New Zealand won’t lose easily, even though Rohit Sharma and his team have an all-around team with top players in every position. He noted that the Kiwis have the ideal balance of youthful players like Rachin Ravindra and seasoned players like Kane Williamson.

“They also have a fantastic combination of young players like Rachin Ravindra and seasoned veterans like Kane Williamson, one of the all-time greats, who have been there year after year. They might lose [against New Zealand], but it will be because India defeated them,” he continued.