The stage is set for the high-octane ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand which is set to be played on March 9 at the Dubai International Cricket stadium. Both the teams are leaving no stone unturned in their preparation for the title clash.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead wants New Zealand to be wary of Varun Chakravarthy in Champions Trophy final
This will be the second time India and New Zealand will be locking horns with each other in the Champions Trophy 2025. Their previous meeting occurred during the group stage, where India sealed the match by 44 runs. In that match, India posted a total of 249 runs, subsequently dismantling New Zealand's batting lineup for 205. A standout performance from India's Varun Chakravarthy, who ran riot with the ball and took a sensational fifer to break New Zealand's back and ultimately win the match for India.
Meanwhile, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead has warned his own team of India's big threat moving into ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final. He wants New Zealand batters to be wary of Varun Chakravarthy, who was the wrecker-in-chief when the two teams last met in league-stage match.
"We certainly expect him to play after getting 5/42 against us in the last game. He's a class bowler, and showed his skills against us last time and he's a big threat in the game," Stead told reporters on Friday, March 7.
Adding to the pre-final tension, Stead also came up with a crucial update on New Zealand's fast bowler Matt Henry's availability for the final. Henry's participation in the highly anticipated match is uncertain due to a shoulder injury sustained while taking a catch during their semifinal clash against South Africa. While he did return to bowl after briefly leaving the field, Stead acknowledged that Henry's fitness remains unknown despite the team's hopes for his recovery.
New Zealand's aspirations for win heavily rely on Henry's presence and leadership within their pace attack. His performance throughout the tournament has been exceptional, evidenced by his leading wicket-taker status with 10 wickets in four games, including a remarkable five-wicket haul against India. The team is now anxiously awaiting his full recovery, as his contribution is considered vital for their chances in the final.
"I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl. We've had some scans and stuff done on him, and we're going to give him every chance to be playing in this match. [But it's] still a little bit unknown at this stage. He's obviously pretty sore just from landing on the point of his shoulder. Hopefully he will be okay," Stead said.