



India’s quest for a third Champions Trophy title begins: Can they break the Kiwi curse this time around?
This 'mini-World Cup' clash pits two of the most consistent yet often unlucky teams in ICC tournaments. Both nations are desperate for success after recent near-misses in major ODI finals—India falling short in the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2023 World Cup, while New Zealand suffered heartbreaking defeats in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. Adding some intrigue to the match is India's campaign, which has been slightly clouded by accusations of an “unfair advantage” due to all of their matches being scheduled at a single venue.
A match full of opportunities
A talking point will be whether India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, will use this final as a potential farewell to his international career, or at least his ODI career, following in the footsteps of Australian captain Steve Smith and former Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, who recently retired after their respective teams' exits.
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, who has been in excellent form with 189 runs in four matches, including a century in the semifinal, might also see this as an opportunity to exit ODIs on a high note.
Rohit, 37, has played a crucial role in setting the tone for India’s success, despite not registering a big individual score. His handy cameos of 41, 20, 15, and 28 in India’s four victories have earned praise from head coach Gautam Gambhir. “When your captain bats with such intent, it sends a strong message to the dressing room about being fearless and courageous. We focus on impact, not just runs,” Gambhir said.
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