Fans are eagerly waiting for Team India to get on the field and lock horns with New Zealand in Dubai in the 2025 Champions Trophy final. With conditions likely to play a massive part in deciding the result, fans are wondering which track will be used for the final and an initial report has revealed it.
The pitch used for the high-octane clash between India and Pakistan will be the one deployed for the tournament decider against the Black Caps, as per a report by the Times of India.
Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan had won the toss and elected to bat first on that track but found the going difficult as the Indian spinners gained plenty of purchase. The Men in Green somehow dragged themselves to 241. Although Abrar Ahmed bowled well, Pakistan lacking another specialist spinner meant that India chased down the target in 42.3 overs with six wickets to spare.
The Kiwis, who beat South Africa to reach the final, will once again be confronted with India's much-vaunted spin-bowling unit. Varun Chakaravarthy, who took a fifer against them in the group-stage game, is likely to be pivotal to India's chances of winning the game. The track for the final could be slower than the one for India vs Pakistan.
India and New Zealand had also battled in the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy final
The two sides had also battled one another in the ICC Knockout Trophy in 2000 as well. Batting first, India had amassed 264/6, headlined by skipper Sourav Ganguly's 117 and a knock of 69 from Sachin Tendulkar.
However, Chris Cairns' match-winning ton overshadowed their efforts as he took the Black Caps past the target with four wickets to spare in the last over. Hence, New Zealand will look to replicate that glory.
