ICC Champions Trophy: Dubai’s scorching heat and spin-friendly surface will play a crucial role as India and New Zealand lock horns in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
With temperatures expected to hover around 32°C, captains will have a tough call to make at the toss, as teams have preferred chasing under the afternoon sun. However, with minimal dew at the venue so far, batting first might not be a disadvantage if the team can put a competitive total on the board.
The Dubai pitch has proven to be a spinner’s ally throughout the tournament, assisting turn and making stroke-play difficult once the ball softens. The Powerplay has been the best time to bat, with the new ball coming onto the bat nicely. But as the innings progresses, batters have had to take time to adjust to the sluggish nature of the surface. The final is expected to follow a similar pattern, making early aggression and middle-over consolidation key to success.
