IND vs NZ LIVE Score, Champions Trophy 2025 Final: India up for their toughest test yet for Rohit Sharma to win title

IND vs NZ LIVE Score, Champions Trophy Final: The last time India were in a final, Virat Kohli put the batting effort on his back, guiding the first innings against South Africa in Barbados. Kohli doesn’t have the best record in finals, but that could flip a switch. More crucially, Kohli has looked almost inevitable with bat in hand. He is a bank of runs, and when he gets in the zone, it’s almost as if he is on autopilot. India will be hoping nothing spectacular is required – just the same old Kohli, doing what he does best.

India vs New Zealand LIVE Score, Final: Out of active players participating in this match, it is unsurprisingly Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson who lead the way in ODIs, with Kohli having scored 1656 runs at an average of 57.10. Williamson is just behind on 1228, while Rohit Sharma is third, and Tom Latham is fourth, both approaching the four-figure mark.

Surprisingly, it’s Shubman Gill in fifth place, already having scored 592 runs at an average of 74, thanks in large part to his 208 against the Kiwis in Hyderabad. Shreyas Iyer isn’t far behind either, averaging 70 against the Kiwis, most notably his century at the Wankhede in the 2023 World Cup semifinal.

India vs New Zealand LIVE Score, Final: Well, the rumour mill is abuzz. Despite no confirmation from Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar or any BCCI representative, speculation is rife that the India captain might call it a day today. It all started when Shubman Gill, asked if Rohit was retiring, said, “There’s been no such conversation. He’ll take a decision after the match”. That last line is what got the chatter going. Well, let’s break you all some news. That’s not how things work. Every time there’s a change in leadership, a succession plan is rolled out. You cannot just announce that you’re done and walk away. India have a future captain to hone – in this case, Shubman Gill – and Rohit needs to be there to ensure the transition takes place smoothly. At 38, can Rohit push for the World Cup in 2027? Only he can answer that. But is he going to retire after tonight? NOT HAPPENING!

India vs New Zealand LIVE Score, Final: In 119 ODI matches, India have a healthy 61-50 lead over the Kiwis, including the last six matches in a row. In ICC events, however, it is neck-and-neck, with the two teams winning six matches each in ODI tournaments, and 1-1 in the Champions Trophy in particular.

There’s no daylight between these two teams at the marquee events, and the team that is able to generate some will come away with the trophy.

India vs New Zealand LIVE Score, Final: Yes, he does have the support of a very capable Hardik Pandya, but Mohammed Shami goes into this final as the lead and sole frontline seamer for India. It’s certainly a gamble, one that paid off against Australia, but also one that will come with a big burden of pressure on the experienced fast bowler. He will be asked to bowl through all phases, as a wicket-taker. India will need him to really leave an impact, especially early in the Kiwis innings. And oh! NO DROPPED CATCHES!

India vs New Zealand LIVE Score, Final: With the game being played in Dubai, there is no question that spin will hold the key, and both teams have players capable from that end. While India have their four-man attack to keep the pressure on through every phase of the game, New Zealand have relied on the quality of Santner, as well as some good sharp bowling by Michael Bracewell (as well as the more part-time options of Phillips and Ravindra.)

How well the two batting teams are able to perform against the other’s spin attacks could be the most important element of this game.

India vs New Zealand LIVE Score, Final: For the BlackCaps, their batting has been a massive strength through this tournament. Rachin Ravindra has a pair of centuries to be just a single run behind the top-scorer, while three other batters have contributed centuries in the form of Will Young, Tom Latham, and Kane Williamson. Add to this some blitzy finishes by Glenn Phillips, and the fact that Daryl Mitchell hasn’t come to the party quite yet, this is a team that is firing on all cylinders. Something India will be wary of.

India vs New Zealand LIVE Score, Final: Such is the quality spread across the team that India have had multiple players chip in to their winning causes. Mohammed Shami had a five-fer against Bangladesh, while Varun Chakravarthy announced himself with a five-wicket haul of his own against the Kiwis.

With the bat, Virat Kohli leads the run-scoring thanks to a century against Pakistan. Shubman Gill has a century, too, while Shreyas Iyer has provided consistent runs from number four. And is due for a big score.

India vs New Zealand LIVE Score, Final: … was exactly a week ago. Last Sunday. This, of course, is a rematch of a match already played in this tournament. India emerged as victors by 44 runs, despite batting first and being 30/3 early on. It was a strong 79 by Shreyas Iyer and a pair of scores in the 40s by Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya that took India to a par score, but it was Varun Chakravarthy’s star turn with the ball that won the game.

The Kiwis were going well at one stage, but a late burst by Varun ensured that the chase was derailed before it really threatened the Indian total. Plenty for both teams to take confidence from in that match, though.

India vs New Zealand LIVE Score, Final: With four matches already played in Dubai, we kind of know what to expect by now: slow, grinding pitches and matches, not as many runs as on offer in Pakistan, and a lot of patience required by the batting team. India have made their chases so far in this tournament look easy, or at least uncomplicated, but this might be a bat-first pitch nonetheless. Especially in a final, where runs on the board are always a nice bonus. The key on such a pitch, as India will know from their last ODI World Cup final, is to ensure they don’t get stuck in the middle overs.