ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Ravi Shastri names 3 New Zealand players who will be threat to India in the final

India defeated New Zealand in the group stage match of ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

India will aim to recapture the ICC Champions Trophy after 12 years when they face New Zealand in the final of 2025 edition on Sunday, March 9 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The Men in Blue have been the strongest team in the competition, winning all four of their games. They have found the right balance with six bowling options and a deep batting lineup.

Their decision to include five spinners in the squad has also proved to be a masterstroke. Walking into the playing XI in the last group stage match, Varun Chakaravarthy has already taken seven wickets in two games.

Before the much-awaited clash on Sunday, former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has identified three New Zealand players who could pose a threat to India.

Ravi Shastri names three New Zealand players who will be threat to India in the final

Speaking to the ICC, Shastri named Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, and Mitchell Santner as the three primary threats for India in the Champions Trophy 2025 final.

The former India coach emphasized that Ravindra’s consistent performances in ICC tournaments speaks volume about his talent.

He said, “I just like the way he moves in the crease. There’s an element of fluency, which is fabulous to see. He’s either forward, he’s back, he’ll cut, he’ll sweep it, play the quicks well and he’s got a very good temperament.“

“You don’t get hundreds in big tournaments like this just like that. You’ve got to have something up your sleeve and I think he’s immensely talented.”

Next on Shastri’s radar was veteran batsman Kane Williamson, who scored 81 and 102 in the last two games.

He added, “He’s very stable and there’s an element of calmness, a no-nonsense element about him the way he goes about his job. He’s like a saint, a sage, just sitting, meditating. Lot of people look at the big shots, I look at the way he moves in the crease. There’s an element of fluency.“

Shastri also identified New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner as a key player for the Kiwis. In his first ICC tournament as captain, the 33-year-old has impressed everyone with his tactical decision-making.

Shastri said, “He’s an intelligent man. And I think this captaincy suits him. It just adds that edge to him as a batter, as a bowler, as a cricketer.“

“So I think it’s a smart move by New Zealand opting for that and just the way he goes about his job, like I said, he’s a good reader of the game, is an intelligent bloke and should be there for some time for New Zealand.”

“He might just show flashes of brilliance in the field. He might come and smash a cameo of 40-50 and probably surprise you by taking a wicket or two.”

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