Former Cricketer Ravi Shastri made a massive remark in the Champions Trophy 2025 finals and picked his favourite players and Player of the Match nominees.
Although Shastri claimed India may start as the favourites in the CT finals on Sunday, he also said that the Men in Blues has a slender advantage over New Zealand.
India and the Blackcaps are set to face each other once again in the Champions Trophy, which replicates the ICC Knockouts 2000 final. 25 years ago, the Kiwis beat India to win the title.
The Blackcaps have displayed fine form in the ongoing tournament, having beaten South Africa to reach the final.
“If there’s one team that can beat India, it’s New Zealand,” Ravi Shastri said in ‘The ICC Review’. “So India starts as favourites but only just.”
Ravi Shastri highlights the key New Zealand players that India must stop if they are to win a third #ChampionsTrophy title ☝️https://t.co/4P8UGahonE
— ICC (@ICC) March 8, 2025
He also said that Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson are in top form ahead of the summit clash and the former cricketer hinted that they are potential game changers for their respective sides. He also added Rachin Ravindra can also be a gamechanger.
“Now (on) current form, Kohli. When these guys get hot and you let them get their first 10 runs, then they’re trouble. Whether it’s Williamson, whether it’s Kohli,” Ravi Shastri said.
“So from New Zealand, I would say Williamson. To an extent, Ravindra, he is a fabulous young player.
“But these guys when they smell the coffee and you let them, in a final, get to that 10-15, then they’re doubly dangerous.”
Ravi Shastri also commented on his Player of the Match nominees saying that all-rounder can win the award. He picked Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja from the Indian side while he picked Glenn Phillips.
“Player of the Match, I would go for an all-rounder,” he said in The ICC Review. “I’ll say Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja from India.”
“From New Zealand, I think that Glenn Phillips has something up. He might just show flashes of brilliance in the field. He might come and smash a cameo of 40, 50 and probably surprise you by taking a wicket or two.”
India and New Zealand will clash once again in the finals of the Champions Trophy 2025 on March 09 at Dubai International Stadium.
