Champions Trophy 2025: Ex-Cricketer Predicts Kohli, Williamson To Have Big Impact In India vs New Zealand Final Clash

Champions Trophy 2025: Both Team India and New Zealand are currently in their best form in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 and are set to face each other in the final of the tournament on March 9 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The last time these two teams faced each other in the tournament, the Men in Blue sealed a 44-run win, but Virat Kohli failed to make a mark in the game, scoring just 11 runs. Kane Williamson on the other hand played an impressive 81-run knock.

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The Men in Blue have stayed unbeaten in the ongoing ICC event and have confirmed their place in the final match after beating Bangladesh, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Australia. On the other hand, the Black Caps have shown a dominating performance in the tournament and conceded just one defeat against India in the group stage.

Former Cricketer Predicts Big Roles For Kohli, Williamson

While speaking in The ICC Review, former India head coach and cricketer Ravi Shastri shared insights on the upcoming match of the Champions Trophy 2025 and predicted that Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson could play a crucial role in the showdown. He added that it would be a problem for India and the Kiwis if they start scoring runs for their respective sides.

“Now (on) current form, Kohli. When these guys get hot and you let them get their first 10 runs, then they're trouble. Whether it's Williamson, whether it's Kohli. So from New Zealand, I would say Williamson. To an extent, Rachin Ravindra, he is a fabulous young player. But these guys when they smell the coffee and you let them, in a final, get to that 10-15, then they're doubly dangerous,” Shastri said as quoted by ICC.

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Virat Kohli is currently the fourth-highest run-getter in the Champions Trophy, scoring 217 runs from four matches at a strike rate of 83.14. While Williamson smashed 157 runs from four games at a strike rate of 85.91.

Kohli played a big role during the first semi-final match on March 4. The star Indian batter was the mastermind behind India's four-wicket triumph over Australia by scoring a 84-run knock during the run chase.