The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final is set for Sunday, March 9, with India taking on New Zealand in a high-stakes encounter in Dubai. This will be the second meeting between the two teams in the tournament, with India securing a 40-run victory over the Black Caps in the Group A stage.
As Rohit Sharma’s side aims for its second consecutive ICC white-ball title, former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has identified a key factor that could influence New Zealand’s tactical approach—the presence of India’s mystery spinner, Varun Chakaravarthy.
With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final just around the corner, all eyes are on India and New Zealand as they prepare for a historic showdown in Dubai.
Why Toss May Not Matter in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final
One of the biggest talking points throughout the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been Rohit Sharma’s incredible losing streak at the toss—India’s captain has now lost 14 consecutive tosses in ODIs. However, according to Hesson, the toss won’t be a decisive factor in the final.
📌 Why?
✅ The absence of dew in Dubai means teams aren’t significantly disadvantaged when bowling second.
✅ Pitch conditions have remained consistent across both innings, reducing the usual importance of the toss.
🗣️ “I for one thought there would be a little bit more dew at this ground at this time of year. Fortunately, there hasn’t been. Therefore, the toss is actually not a big factor, and I think that’s great,” Hesson said, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
This is good news for India, as it means Rohit Sharma’s losing streak at the toss won’t significantly impact their chances in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final.
Varun Chakaravarthy: The X-Factor That Could Dictate New Zealand’s Strategy
While the toss may not play a major role, Varun Chakaravarthy’s presence certainly will. The mystery spinner was included in India’s playing XI against New Zealand for the first time in the tournament, and the decision paid off spectacularly.
Chakaravarthy’s Performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
📌 Group Stage vs New Zealand – 5-wicket haul, Match-winner 🏆
📌 Semi-Final vs Australia – 2/49 in 10 overs, Restricting key batters 💥
His ability to bamboozle batters with his unorthodox spin has made him one of India’s biggest assets. This, according to Hesson, will likely force New Zealand into a tactical decision at the toss.
🗣️ “I think at the toss, from a tactical point of view, New Zealand will want to bat first and do what they did against South Africa in the semifinal. The reason why I say that is because of this man here, Varun Chakaravarthy,” Hesson stated.
Varun Chakaravarthy’s impact could be a game-changer in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final, forcing New Zealand to rethink their approach against India’s spin threat.
Why New Zealand Might Want to Bat First in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final?
New Zealand’s preferred strategy in big matches has been to set a target rather than chase, and this could be further influenced by Chakaravarthy’s threat in the second innings.
Why Batting First Could Benefit New Zealand:
✅ Avoid Facing Chakaravarthy Under Pressure – Chasing against a mystery spinner becomes difficult when runs are required quickly.
✅ Capitalize on Powerplay Runs – New Zealand’s top order will look to maximize the fielding restrictions before Chakaravarthy is introduced.
✅ Control the Tempo of the Match – Setting a target allows New Zealand to dictate the pace rather than react to India’s batting approach.
However, India’s bowling attack has proven to be equally effective whether defending or chasing, meaning New Zealand will still need a strong batting performance regardless of when they face Chakaravarthy.
As India aims for back-to-back ICC trophies, their ultimate challenge in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final will be overcoming New Zealand’s tactical adaptability and big-match experience.
India’s Recent ICC Success: Aiming for Another White-Ball Title
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final presents an opportunity for India to win back-to-back ICC white-ball tournaments, following their T20 World Cup victory last year under Rohit Sharma.
Recent ICC Titles for India:
🏆 T20 World Cup 2024 – India defeated England in the final.
🏆 Champions Trophy Titles: 2002 (shared with Sri Lanka), 2013 (defeated England).
🏆 ICC ODI World Cup Appearances: Champions in 1983 & 2011, Finalists in 2003 & 2023.
With a team full of match-winners and a dominant tournament run so far, India is looking stronger than ever heading into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final.
Final Verdict: Can India Overcome the Chakaravarthy Factor and New Zealand’s Tactical Shift?
While New Zealand will look to counter Varun Chakaravarthy by batting first, India has multiple match-winners who can turn the game in their favor. With:
✅ Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli leading the batting
✅ A balanced pace-spin attack featuring Bumrah, Siraj, and Chakaravarthy
✅ Winning momentum and experience in ICC finals
India remains strong contenders to lift the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final trophy.
However, New Zealand thrives in ICC knockout matches, and their ability to adapt to challenges could make them dangerous opponents.
🏏 Who do you think will win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final? Drop your predictions below! 🚀
