ICC World Test Championship: As India prepare to take on New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday, history looms large over this much-anticipated encounter. While India enter the contest as favourites, having secured seven consecutive ODI wins leading up to the final, their record against New Zealand in ICC tournament finals tells a different story.
Overall, New Zealand lead India 3-1 when it comes to finals in international cricket. India and New Zealand have already met once in the Champions Trophy 2025, with India securing a 40-run victory in the group stage. Varun Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul dismantled the Kiwi batting lineup, proving India’s strength in spin-friendly conditions. Let's take a look at how the previous ICC knockout matches have transpired.
2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy final (now Champions Trophy): The first major ICC final between these two sides took place in the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy (now the Champions Trophy). New Zealand claimed their first and only ICC white-ball title by defeating India in a closely contested final. Chris Cairns played a heroic innings, scoring a century to guide the Black Caps to a four-wicket victory, leaving India heartbroken.
2019 ODI World Cup semi-final: In a match spread over two days due to rain, New Zealand once again shattered India's hopes. The Kiwis defended a modest total of 239 at Old Trafford, thanks to a resilient bowling performance led by Matthew Henry and Trent Boult. India's top order collapsed early and despite a valiant fight from Ravindra Jadeja (77) and MS Dhoni (50), the Men in Blue fell short by 18 runs.
2021 ICC World Test Championship final: New Zealand continued their dominance in the ICC finals, clinching the inaugural ICC World Test Championship by defeating India in a rain-affected match in Southampton. Kane Williamson’s composed 52* and Ross Taylor’s unbeaten 47 guided the Black Caps to an eight-wicket victory, reinforcing their status as India’s nemesis in knockout encounters.
2023 ODI World Cup semi-final: India finally managed to break the knockout jinx against New Zealand in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Shreyas Iyer's and Virat Kohli’s record-breaking centuries and Mohammed Shami’s stunning five-wicket haul powered India to a 70-run victory in Mumbai.
If India win, they will not only win their third Champions Trophy title but also break a 25-year-old curse by defeating New Zealand in a major international final. Moreover, this victory would make them the sole record holders of the Champions Trophy, surpassing Australia.
2023 ODI World Cup semi-final: India finally managed to break the knockout jinx against New Zealand in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Shreyas Iyer's and Virat Kohli’s record-breaking centuries and Mohammed Shami’s stunning five-wicket haul powered India to a 70-run victory in Mumbai.
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Article Source: IANS