New Zealand poised to challenge India’s dominance in final today

ISLAMABAD: As the highly anticipated Champions Trophy final approaches, all eyes are on New Zealand—the one team with the potential to disrupt India’s rhythm.

The showdown at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday promises to be an electrifying contest, with both sides gearing up for a battle of skill, strategy, and mental resilience.

A question looms large: can New Zealand replicate their historic triumph from 25 years ago, when they stunned a star-studded Indian side to claim the title? While India enter the final as the undisputed favourites, boasting a balanced squad with a formidable spin attack and a rock-solid batting lineup, New Zealand have the firepower to turn the tide. With explosive hitters at the top and powerful finishers down the order, the Kiwis are far from mere challengers—they are genuine contenders.

One crucial factor could be the playing surface, which has seemingly favored India throughout the tournament. Additionally, India has enjoyed the luxury of playing all their matches at the same venue, a point of contention raised by New Zealand’s skipper Mitchell Santner. Such advantage is usually compared with “handicap score” in golf, where certain players start with an edge—except in cricket, no such handicaps should exist.

Despite India’s dominance leading up to the final, an unbeaten run can sometimes be deceptive. Teams rarely go through major tournaments without facing a real test, and the final could be the day India encounters unexpected resistance.

While India’s all-around capabilities make them a formidable force, one chink in their armor could be their fast-bowling unit. Mohammad Shami has shouldered the burden well, but any slip-up with the new ball could spell trouble. Their lethal spin quartet has masked this weakness so far, but New Zealand could exploit it by aggressively targeting one of the spinners—possibly Kuldeep Yadav, whose left-arm wrist spin can falter under sustained pressure.

Sunday’s final is shaping up to be a thrilling, hard-fought encounter. With tactical brilliance, disciplined execution, and a fearless mindset, New Zealand has every chance to script an unforgettable upset. Let the battle begin!