India vs New Zealand ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Match Preview

Image credits: AP Photo/Altaf Qadri

The stage is set for an exciting encounter between India and New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Both teams have made changes to their starting lineups, with India bringing in Varun Chakravarthy in place of Harshit Rana, while New Zealand has replaced Devon Conway with Daryl Mitchell. The match will be played on a spin-friendly pitch in Dubai, and India has opted to play with four spinners, including Varun Chakravarthy, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar, with only one pace bowler, Mohammad Shami, and Hardik Pandya as the second pace bowling option.

The Indian team will be led by Rohit Sharma, and the batting lineup includes Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Lokesh Rahul. The team is looking to continue their winning streak and top the group standings. On the other hand, New Zealand will be looking to bounce back from their previous loss and stay alive in the tournament. The team will be led by Mitchell Santner, and the batting lineup includes Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, and Daryl Mitchell.

The match is crucial for both teams, as the winner will advance to the semifinals, while the loser will be eliminated from the tournament. If India wins, they will face Australia in the semifinals, while a loss will mean they will face South Africa. The Indian team is looking to maintain their winning momentum and top the group standings, while New Zealand is looking to cause an upset and stay alive in the tournament. The spin bowlers are expected to play a key role in the match, and the team that handles them better is likely to emerge victorious.

Here are the playing XIs for both teams:

• India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Akshar Patel, Lokesh Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakravarthy
• New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Will Somerville, Kyle Jamieson

The match is expected to be a closely contested one, with both teams having a strong lineup. The pitch conditions will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the match, and the team that adapts better to the conditions is likely to emerge victorious.

In conclusion, the India vs New Zealand match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is expected to be an exciting encounter, with both teams looking to win and advance to the semifinals. The match will be played on a spin-friendly pitch, and the team that handles the spin bowlers better is likely to emerge victorious. With a strong lineup on both sides, the match is expected to be a closely contested one, and fans can expect a thrilling encounter.

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