Men in Blue vs Men in Black. The happiness or sorrow of about 1.5 billion Indians lie on the Rohit Sharma-led unit that is ready to take on the real dark horses New Zealand. What’s vital for India is that their curse of ICC drought has been broken. After a wait of 11 years, the nation bouyed in the joy of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup triumph.
As India gear up to face New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final, the spotlight isn’t just on the coveted silverware but also on three Indian legends — Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. This encounter in Dubai could very well mark their final attempt to claim an ICC trophy in their illustrious careers.
A Final shot at glory for Rohit-Kohli?
The trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja had earlier announced their retirements from T20 internationals following India’s triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 campaign in Barbados. While their Test futures remain uncertain, the next World Test Championship Final and ODI World Cup are scheduled for 2027 — a timeline that appears improbable given their ages and workloads. At 36, Kohli and Jadeja are nearing the twilight of their careers, while Rohit, at 37, faces an even steeper challenge. Unlike Kohli and Jadeja, Rohit’s poor form has made it tough for him. Case in point, his decision to drop himself in a must-win BGT 5th Test. This Champions Trophy final could well be their ICC swan song.
Emotional ride in store for Indian fans?
For Indian fans, this final won’t be just about lifting the trophy; it’s might be about bidding farewell to three modern-day icons. Within a few minutes of beating South Africa in Barbados, both Rohit and Kohli dropped the bombshell.
Rohit’s leadership, Kohli’s insatiable hunger for runs, and Jadeja’s all-round brilliance have defined Indian cricket for over a decade. Sunday’s clash could provide a fitting conclusion to their ICC journeys. Will they bow out with a fairytale finish, or will New Zealand yet again spoil India’s party in a major ICC knockout clash? The answer awaits at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
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India’s Game Plan: Key Threats to Tackle
India’s net session ahead of the final saw captain Rohit Sharma and mentor Gautam Gambhir locked in deep conversation — no doubt strategizing for New Zealand’s key threats. Chief among them is Rachin Ravindra, the young sensation who boasts five centuries in ICC events in just 18 months. India’s bowlers must neutralize him early to prevent him from dictating the game’s tempo.
Equally concerning is Matt Henry, the wrecker-in-chief from the infamous 2019 World Cup semi-final where his lethal spell dismantled India’s top order. With Henry nursing a shoulder issue, India might breathe a sigh of relief, but if he plays, the Indian top order must be on guard. Meanwhile, Kane Williamson, who flourishes without the burden of captaincy, remains another formidable threat.
Virat Kohli’s face-off with New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner will be another defining contest. Santner’s ability to dry up runs has proven effective, and Kohli’s recent struggles against quality spin make this duel crucial. New Zealand’s exceptional fielding will further test India’s batters, who must minimize risky singles and avoid run-out opportunities.
Team Line-ups and Strategy
India are likely to retain their combination of two pacers and four spinners, with Varun Chakaravarthy expected to continue as the X-factor. There may be some temptation to replace the underwhelming Kuldeep Yadav with an additional pacer like Harshit Rana or Arshdeep Singh, but Rohit’s faith in his trusted players could see Kuldeep retain his spot.
India Probable XI:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy.
New Zealand, on the other hand, are likely to stick to their winning combination, with Henry’s fitness being the only concern. Should he miss out, Nathan Smith or Jacob Duffy may step in. Despite Devon Conway’s availability, Will Young is expected to retain his place.
New Zealand Probable XI:
Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke, Matt Henry/Nathan Smith.
