India and New Zealand are set to clash one more time in the Champions Trophy 2025, but this time with the title on the line. Mitchell Santner's New Zealand and Rohit Sharma's India will cross swords in the Champions Trophy final scheduled for March 9 at the Dubai International cricket stadium. Both the teams have completely dominated the Champions Trophy to seal their spot in the coveted final.
Nasser Hussain wants India to be wary of New Zealand ahead of Champions Trophy final
Meanwhile, former England captain Nasser Hussain wants Team India to be wary of New Zealand's capabilities.
India, fresh from their T20 World Cup 2024 title triumph against South Africa last year, are aiming for a second ICC title within a year. In that previous final, South Africa, burdened by their reputation for faltering in crucial moments, succumbed to pressure despite needing only 30 runs from the final five overs. Hussain suggests that New Zealand, known for their resilience and composure, are likely to present a big tougher challenge in similar high-pressure situations in front of India.
“They will not bottle it, they won't choke. We were having dinner with [former Australia captain] Aaron Finch and he summed it up pretty well in saying New Zealand are never a side that beat themselves. And by that, he means that they will rock up and they will put in a performance," said Hussain on Sky Sports.
"All the way through the New Zealand lineup they have some very, very tough cricketers who turn up to every single game and give it their absolute best - that's why they will always be there around semi-finals and finals," he added.
New Zealand's performance throughout their tour of Pakistan has been exceptionally strong. They displayed dominant form in the tri-series against South Africa and Pakistan. They carried the same momentum in the ongoing Champions Trophy, where they secured comfortable wins in their two group matches held in Pakistan. However, their encounter with India in Dubai resulted in a 44-run defeat. Demonstrating their resilience, they then returned to Pakistan and convincingly defeated South Africa by 50 runs in the semi-final to storm into the final.
Hussain feels New Zealand have that great mixture between senior pros like Kane Williamson and young guns like Rachin Ravindra in their ranks which will come handy for them against India
“They also have that great mixture between senior pros that have been there year in, year out - like Kane Williamson, one of the all-time greats - and youth in the likes of Rachin Ravindra. They may well lose [New Zealand], but if they do, it will be because India beat them,” Hussain concluded.