Champions Trophy: Indians look to upset Kiwi cart

Dubai: And then there were two. After 14 matches (one of them a no-starter), toing and froing within and between countries, after drama and controversy and some extraordinary action, it has come down to this – unbeaten India against fierce New Zealand, in Sunday’s final of the Champions Trophy at a venue that has been home away from home for Rohit Sharma’s men for the last three weeks.

India have won the Champions Trophy twice (once jointly with Sri Lanka) to go with two title triumphs apiece in the ODI and T20 World Cups. New Zealand boast just two ICC titles – coincidentally, intriguingly or dishearteningly (perhaps all these from an Indian fan’s point of view), they have conquered India in the finals both times, in the ICC Knockout Trophy, the original avatar of the Champions Trophy, in Nairobi in 2000 and in the World Test Championship in Southampton in 2021.

India have won their last six ODIs against New Zealand and their last three in ICC events since October 2023, but that guarantees nothing when the teams square off at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Mitchell Santner’s side has been nothing if not consistent over the last month. They won a tri-series in Pakistan in early February, and have registered convincing victories over Pakistan, Bangladesh and South Africa (in the semifinals) in this tournament. They have form and momentum on their side, though they will be aware that India anywhere, but especially in Dubai where their four-pronged spin attack is more than a handful, will be hard nuts to crack.

The bragging rights, for whatever they count, rest with the Indians, following their 44-run defeat of the Kiwis at the same ground a week back. India expertly defended 249 on the back of a telling spell from Varun Chakravarthy, who made his Champions Trophy debut memorable for all the right reasons with a spectacular five-wicket burst. On the same surface where India bested Pakistan by six wickets almost a lifetime ago – it’s only been two weeks, truth to tell – the 33-year-old from Chennai will loom as the biggest threat to New Zealand, though there is more to India’s bowling than just Chakravarthy.

New Zealand’s batters have filled their boots in Pakistan – Rachin Ravindra alone has two hundreds in his two Champions Trophy outings there – but the other night, they came unstuck against India’s spinners in less than ideal batting conditions. Kane Williamson, the gifted former skipper, will again be the fulcrum around which their batting will revolve. The right-hander single-handedly threatened to take his side home until Axar Patel had him stumped; by backing up that 81 with a century in the semifinal, Williamson has peaked nicely for the final.

As has the other great all-format batter of his generation, Virat Kohli, who didn’t come into this tournament with any great form. It didn’t take him more than the sight of the old enemy to rediscover his mojo. An unbeaten century, his 51st in ODIs, powered his side past Pakistan and Kohli’s chasing skills were again on display in the semifinal against Australia. For once, he didn’t linger till the job was completed, which might not be such a terrible thing if he sets himself a self-imposed mini challenge in the biggest match of the competition.

Much has been made of the ‘advantage’ conferred on India because they have played all their matches at the DICS, but New Zealand have assiduously steered clear of that narrative. While it is true that India have benefitted from not having to travel at all – that, more than familiarity with conditions, is a massive bonus – they are in the title round because they have played exceptional cricket. Contributions have come from various quarters and the side hasn’t been reliant on one or two individuals. In what is almost certain to be the last ICC final for at least one, if not both, of Rohit and Kohli, a blast from the past from the old guard would round off the fairytale. Quite nicely.