IND vs NZ Final: Rohit Sharma's Team India Desperate To Put An End To 25-Year-Old ICC Champions Trophy Jinx In Dubai

IND vs NZ: Rohit Sharma's Team India will be up against Mitchell Santner's Blackcaps, aka New Zealand in the finals of Champions Trophy 2025. The match will be played in the Dubai International Stadium. India are still unbeaten in the tournament and they'll like to continue their winning streak even in the finals. Rohit is just one step away from becoming the second captain after MS Dhoni to win the Champions Trophy. New Zealand, on the other hand have just lost one match in the tournament, their group stage clash against India.

The Indian team defeated Steve Smith's Australia in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy and knocked them out of the tournament. New Zealand on the other hand, stormed into the final of the Champions Trophy by defeating South Africa in the knockout game. The Kiwis have this uncanny habit of operating as an unit on the big stage and the Indians will be wary of the Kiwis and the threat that they possess.

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India vs New Zealand: The Jinx That Lasted For 25 Years

The Kiwis have always been consistent with their performances across all the formats of the sport and there is no denying the fact that they can take any opposition down on any given day. Be it any condition, or any stage, they have the quality in them to give a tough fight to their opposition with their shoulders dropping. Interestingly, New Zealand have won two ICC trophies so far in their cricketing history and they have won both of them against Team India.

People do remember New Zealand defeating Team India in the World Test Championship final back in 2021, but rarely does anybody remember the Kiwis beating the 'Men in Blue' in the finals of the Champions Trophy in 2000. New Zealand had defeated India by 4 wickets and 2 balls to spare in the finals of Champions Trophy 2000 which was called ICC KnockOut back then. Twenty Five years later, India and New Zealand take on each other once again on the finals of yet another ICC Champions Trophy and the 'Men in Blue' will certainly want their revenge.

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Rohit Sharma On The Cusp Of Greatness

India skipper Rohit Sharma was recently criticised for his performances in red ball cricket. Many fans and experts demanded for the Indian skipper's retirement, but the 'Hitman' has answered his critics in style. Rohit Sharma who led the Indian team to a World T20 win in 2024 now has the chance to become only the second captain after MS Dhoni to win the ICC Champions Trophy.

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