Dubai Showdown: India vs New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025 Preview

India and New Zealand clash in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai. We break down the confirmed venue, probable playing XIs, a stats-based dream team, expert insights on pitch conditions, and what to expect from this blockbuster encounter.

A High-Stakes Duel in Dubai

Cricket’s mini World Cup returns after eight years, bringing a blockbuster group finale: India versus New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Both teams have already sealed semifinal berths, yet their meeting on March 2 in Dubai is far from a dead rubber. With top spot in Group A and momentum on the line, these two unbeaten sides will treat this as much more than a formality. Fans still recall New Zealand’s knack for knocking India out in past ICC events – from the 2019 World Cup semifinal to the 2021 World Test Championship final – and the Kiwis openly acknowledge their psychological edge. “We’ve got an excellent record against India in ICC events… It’s worked well for us in the past,” all-rounder Michael Bracewell noted. India, meanwhile, has been in red-hot form, winning 9 of 10 white-ball games in 2025 so far. Something has to give when these titans collide at 2:00 PM local time in Dubai.

Venue and Pitch: Dubai International Cricket Stadium as Neutral Ground

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host this high-voltage clash, a neutral venue chosen due to the unique hosting arrangement of the 2025 Champions Trophy. While Pakistan is the official host nation, the ICC confirmed that Dubai would stage India’s matches as a neutral site​. This compromise, born of political realities, means Friday’s match unfolds in the UAE even as the tournament is jointly held in Pakistan. Dubai’s stadium – familiar to fans of IPL playoffs and Asia Cups – offers a grand stage with a capacity of around 25,000 and state-of-the-art facilities. According to the ICC schedule, “2 Mar – New Zealand v India, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai” is locked in, so there’s no ambiguity about where this game will be played.

Pitch conditions in Dubai have already become a talking point. The surface here has been on the slower side this tournament, especially compared to the run-fests in Pakistan. “This Sunday’s game could be the one where spinners take centerstage, given the conditions at Dubai,” observes Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach. The normally batting-friendly Dubai wicket has shown uneven bounce and grip, leading teams to rely heavily on spin. Ten Doeschate noted an unexpected “over-reliance on spin” so far, with pitches helping slow bowlers​. The numbers back it: scores in Dubai have been relatively modest, with teams considering 280-290 a par total instead of the 320+ common across the border. In day-night games, there’s also the factor of evening dew which could slightly aid chasing teams, though in early March the dew is manageable. Glenn Phillips, New Zealand’s middle-order batsman and part-time spinner, agreed spinners will be key at DICS (Dubai International Cricket Stadium), but warned not to discount the pacers. “We’ve got two really good spinners… and three high-quality pace bowlers – Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and William O’Rourke – big tall boys with variable bounce,” Phillips said of the Black Caps’ attack. Expect the Dubai pitch to start slow and low, progressively aiding the urn. Batsmen will need to apply themselves – it’s not the kind of surface where one can bludgeon 350 without breaking a sweat. As ten Doeschate observed, even reaching 300 has been difficult; scores around “280-290” have proven competitive in the first two Dubai matches. With that in mind, both teams are likely to shape their XIs to exploit spin-friendly conditions. The weather should be dry and warm (Dubai’s spring is mild compared to peak summer), so a full 50-overs-a-side contest under lights is on the cards in this neutral-venue thriller.

India’s Probable Playing XI: Formidable Batting Meets Spin Options

Likely XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel/Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh. (Team balance could see either an extra spinner or an extra batter/wicketkeeper in Pant.)

Batting: India’s top order is the stuff of bowlers’ nightmares. Captain Rohit Sharma and youngster Shubman Gill form an opening pair that mixes experience with exuberance. Gill was the world’s leading ODI run-scorer in 2023, smashing 1,584 runs with 5 centuries. He even hammered a double-century (208) against New Zealand last year, showcasing his ability to annihilate this opposition’s bowling. Rohit, the elder statesman, is an ICC tournament legend in his own right. He has a Champions Trophy hundred in a semi-final (123* vs Bangladesh in 2017)​ and loves batting in Asian conditions. Rohit feasted on this very Dubai pitch during the 2018 Asia Cup, scoring an unbeaten 111* in a rout of Pakistan. If he gets set, his penchant for daddy hundreds could tilt the match. At No.3 sits Virat Kohli, arguably the greatest chase master in ODI history. Kohli thrives on big stages and against New Zealand he has delivered memorable performances – he struck a gritty 95 to guide India’s successful chase against the Kiwis in the 2023 World Cup. With over 1,300 ODI runs in 2023 and 3 centuries, Kohli’s form is as imperious as his reputation. Rounding out India’s likely top five are Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Iyer provides stability and fluent strokeplay in the middle, though there’s a chance India could play the dynamic Rishabh Pant instead if they want a left-hander in the middle order. Rahul, meanwhile, has been a picture of consistency since returning from injury – he averaged 55+ in the last year and is a safe pair of hands behind the stumps. “We don’t like to put too much pressure on ourselves,” Rahul said about this matchup, emphasizing India’s focus on playing their natural game despite the stakes.

All-Rounders and Bowling: The balance of India’s XI will likely tilt toward spin given the pitch. Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya provides the 6th bowling option and lower-order firepower. Hardik’s medium-fast cutters could be useful on the sluggish surface, and with the bat, he’s a proven finisher in ICC events (remember his 76(43) in the 2017 CT final, albeit in a losing cause).

Ravindra Jadeja is almost a certainty – the veteran left-arm spinner and livewire fielder has been a Champions Trophy hero before (tournament-leading wicket-taker and Player of the Final in 2013). Jadeja’s batting (he famously nearly won India a semifinal against New Zealand with 77 in 2019) adds depth, but it’s his accurate bowling and electric fielding that India values most. With Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury, the onus is on Mohammed Shami to spearhead the pace attack. The 34-year-old is relishing the responsibility – in the recent World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, Shami produced a dream spell of 7/57, wrecking the Kiwis’ chase despite Daryl Mitchell’s brave century. Shami has a knack for striking early (his seam movement could still play a role in Dubai’s evenings) and is in roaring form. Alongside him, left-armer Arshdeep Singh offers variety and swing. Arshdeep is relatively inexperienced in ICC 50-over events but proved his mettle as India’s top wicket-taker in the 2022 T20 World Cup. The biggest questions are in the spin department. Kuldeep Yadav, India’s resurgent left-arm wrist-spinner, has been their trump card over the past year – he even earned Player of the Series in Asia Cup 2023 with 9 wickets at a ludicrous 11.44 average. Kuldeep’s ability to pick wickets in the middle overs might give him the edge.

However, conditions and team strategy could open the door for an extra spinner like Axar Patel or Varun Chakaravarthy. If India feels the pitch will aid the turn, they might field three frontline spinners (for example, Jadeja, Kuldeep, and Varun/Axar) and rest a seamer. Ten Doeschate hinted India could go with “at least three spinners in the XI – Jadeja, Chakaravarthy and Axar”, given how spin-friendly Dubai has been. The inclusion of mystery spinner Varun (who troubles batters with his unreadable variations) would be a bold call – he hasn’t played many ODIs, but in a dead-rubber game India might experiment. More likely, Kuldeep retains his spot, with Axar Patel perhaps coming in if India wants an extra batting cushion at No.8. Axar is a like-for-like replacement for Jadeja (accurate left-arm spin and handy batting) and could partner Jadeja to strangle New Zealand with spin from both ends.

Key Strength: India’s batting depth and experience in ICC tournaments. Sharma and Kohli have seen it all – they have 5 Champions Trophy titles between them (Kohli was part of the 2013 win; Rohit was part of the 2013 win and the 2017 runner-up). Their know-how, combined with Gill’s golden touch and the balance provided by Hardik and Jadeja, makes India slightly favored on paper. Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan – the top run-scorer in the 2013 and 2017 Champions Trophies​– believes this Indian side has “a very balanced side, with a nice blend of experience and youth”, and even without Bumrah he “can’t look past India” as title contenders. Dhawan has tipped young seamer Harshit Rana as an X-factor, but it’s unlikely India would throw the 23-year-old into such a marquee match unless they rest key players. Instead, expect India to largely stick with their battle-hardened core, perhaps tweaking the bowling combo based on the pitch. The confidence in the camp is high after a string of big wins, including a 6-wicket victory over Pakistan in Dubai last week. If India plays to their potential, they have the tools to break their Kiwi jinx in ICC events.

New Zealand’s Probable Playing XI: Balanced, Brave and Battle-Tested

Likely XI: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy. (If Williamson’s fitness is uncertain, Will Young may play. NZ could also field an extra pacer and one fewer spinner depending on conditions.)

New Zealand may be a smaller cricket nation, but in ICC tournaments the “Black Caps” punch above their weight with teamwork and tenacity. Skipper Mitchell Santner has marshaled his troops brilliantly in this Champions Trophy, stepping in as captain while Kane Williamson eases back from injury. Both teams are already in the semifinals, yet Santner’s side will be desperate to beat India and assert that their ICC dominance over the Men in Blue is no fluke.

There’s quiet confidence in the Kiwi camp. “Coming off a great Test series win… we’ve got a lot of confidence and we’ve got a really good record against India in ICC events,” Bracewell reminded the media. Indeed, New Zealand’s only ICC 50-over trophy came at India’s expense – the 2000 ICC KnockOut (Champions Trophy) final, where Chris Cairns struck a heroic 102* to clinch the title over Sourav Ganguly’s side. Such history isn’t lost on this team.

Batting: The Kiwi batting unit is a mix of seasoned names and rising stars. Left-handed opener Devon Conway has emerged as a linchpin at the top. Conway is fresh off a stellar World Cup 2023 (he smashed 152* in the tournament opener) and averages nearly 50 in ODIs. He hasn’t yet had a big knock in this Champions Trophy, which might make India nervous that one is due. His likely opening partner is Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand’s breakout star of 2023. The 23-year-old Ravindra (named after Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, reflecting Indo-Kiwi ties) is a genuine all-rounder but has impressed primarily with the bat. He struck a fluent 75 against India in the World Cup and has shown he can handle high-pressure situations. In fact, Rachin and Daryl Mitchell shared a 159-run stand in Dharamsala in October 2023 that lifted NZ from trouble against India.

The top-order fulcrum is still Kane Williamson if he is fit to play. Williamson is returning from a knee injury (sustained last year) and while Santner continues to captain, Williamson’s presence at one-down is invaluable. A classic anchor and one of the game’s great tacticians, Kane averages nearly 50 in ODIs. He also boasts a century in the Champions Trophy (100 vs Australia in 2017)​ and a knack for scoring against India when it matters – remember his calm 67 in the 2019 semi-final and match-winning 45* in the 2021 Test Championship final. New Zealand will hope he’s close to full flow.

The engine room of the batting is Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham, with Glenn Phillips as the enforcer. Daryl Mitchell has become NZ’s big-game player. In the last two ICC ODI tournaments, he has two centuries against India – an explosive 130 in the 2023 group stage and a gallant 134 in the 2023 World Cup semi-final at Mumbai. No other batter in history has two ODI tons against India in ICC events; Mitchell does, underlining how he relishes this matchup. His ability to accelerate or rebuild as needed makes him the prized wicket for India. Wicketkeeper Tom Latham is another thorn India knows well. A skilled player of spin with a sweep shot straight from the subcontinental playbook, Latham scored a match-winning 103* in an ODI chase in India (Mumbai 2017) and often anchors tricky chases. He’ll likely bat at 5, guiding the middle overs and rotating strike to frustrate India’s spinners. Glenn Phillips, at 6, provides the X-factor. A muscular striker who can clear any boundary, Phillips can change a game in a few overs. He’s also a handy off-spin option (and a backup keeper if needed). In this tournament, he hasn’t had a huge innings yet, but he is the kind of player who can flourish on a slow surface by using his power to muscle the ball down the ground once set.

All-Rounders and Bowling: New Zealand’s strategy in Dubai might be to load up on spin as well. They have the luxury of multiple all-rounders. Skipper Mitchell Santner is at the heart of it – one of world cricket’s most underrated players, Santner offers miserly left-arm spin and very useful lower-order batting. He even scored 57 in partnership with Bracewell during a near-comeback against India last year. Santner’s bowling record against India is excellent; he often manages to stifle India’s big guns (Rohit and Kohli have been cautious against him in the past). Alongside him is Michael Bracewell, an off-spinning all-rounder who has quickly made a name in ODIs. Bracewell’s off-spin (4/26 vs Bangladesh in the last game) will be crucial to counter India’s right-hand heavy lineup. But it’s his batting heroics that truly worry India – Bracewell smashed 140 off 78 balls (10 sixes) in an ODI in Hyderabad last year, almost pulling off an improbable chase of 350. That knock gave India an almighty scare and showed that even if New Zealand is seven down and seemingly out, Bracewell can produce game-changing fireworks. With Santner and Bracewell, New Zealand has a pair of spinning all-rounders who could each bowl 10 overs. They may even “unleash four [spinners]” including part-timers, Santner hinted. Apart from those two, Rachin Ravindra can bowl tidy slow left-arm orthodox, and Glenn Phillips can chip in with off-breaks – giving New Zealand up to four spin options on a turning pitch.

However, the Kiwis will not neglect their pace arsenal. In fact, pace has traditionally been their weapon against India in ICC matches (think Trent Boult’s swing or Lockie Ferguson’s pace in past games). The leader of the attack is Matt Henry, who has a habit of producing gold in knockout games. Henry famously took 3/37 to dismantle India’s top order in the 2019 World Cup semi-final, earning Man of the Match for removing Rohit, Rahul, and Karthik in a dream opening spell. Henry hits a consistent line and can get seam movement – on a two-paced Dubai pitch, he’ll aim to use variation off the deck. He’s been in good rhythm, and his battles with India’s top three in the first powerplay could set the tone. Kyle Jamieson, the towering fast bowler, complements Henry. Jamieson (6’8”) can extract awkward bounce even on flat tracks. He’s returning from injury but has looked sharp, and his height and heavy balls could yield wickets or at least check the scoring on this slow turf. The third seamer spot might go to Jacob Duffy or the young William O’Rourke. Duffy has more experience – a swing bowler who can also hit the deck – whereas O’Rourke is an exciting prospect who brings pace. New Zealand might lean on Duffy’s experience in a game of this magnitude.

Captain Santner has a selection puzzle: whether to play an extra fast bowler or an extra batter. Given the conditions, they may stick with the same formula that has worked: seven batsmen (till Phillips), with Santner at 7, Bracewell 8, and four genuine bowlers (three quicks + Santner) rounding out the XI. This gives batting depth till 8 and four frontline bowling options, with plenty of part-time spin if needed. If they worry that two seamers aren’t enough, all-rounder Daryl Mitchell can bowl medium pace as well, though New Zealand has used him sparingly with the ball of late. They seem confident in their balance – as Phillips noted, “we have our bases covered nicely” between spin and pace in these conditions.

Key Strength: New Zealand’s discipline and big-match temperament. This is a side that plays fearless cricket without superstars. Every time India and New Zealand meet in an ICC tournament, someone unexpected from NZ steps up – be it Martin Guptill’s direct hit run-out of Dhoni in 2019, or a Colin de Grandhomme swinging a crucial partnership. In this squad, players like Phillips, Bracewell or Rachin could play that role. Another often-underrated factor is New Zealand’s fielding: they save crucial runs and take their catches, which can be game-defining in a tight contest. Phillips, for instance, is one of the world’s best fielders (watch for him prowling the inner ring or boundary like a livewire). The Kiwis also have a sense of stability in selection. “We are fortunate in New Zealand to have a lot less players than India to choose from, which means we give guys longer runs… that gives a lot of confidence,” Phillips pointed out, contrasting with India’s constant rotation of talent. That clarity in roles has translated into consistent performances – they’ve hardly put a foot wrong this tournament. If New Zealand can execute their game plan of building partnerships and applying spin chokeholds in the middle overs, they could very well extend their hoodoo over India.

The Stats Suggest: A Perfect Combined XI for Dubai

Beyond the on-paper XIs, what if we formed a “Perfect Research Team” – a composite XI picked purely on player statistics, venue records, and performance against the opposition? Here’s a data-driven dream team of players from both squads who could theoretically excel in Dubai’s conditions:

• Rohit Sharma (India, Captain) – Champions Trophy pedigree and Dubai specialist. Rohit averages 78 in Champions Trophy knockout matches and has a century in Dubai. His experience (over 9,000 ODI runs) and record of rising to the occasion make him the captain of this hypothetical side. He also boasts a 50+ average vs New Zealand in ODIs in the last 5 years.

• Shubman Gill (India) – Prolific form and success against NZ. The numbers don’t lie: Gill was the only batter to cross 1,500 ODI runs in 2023. Against New Zealand, he averages 71, including that double-hundred in 2023. His fluent game is well-suited to Dubai’s true bounce, and he can anchor or accelerate as needed.

• Virat Kohli (India) – Consistency in chases and ICC events. Kohli has scored heavily against every opposition, New Zealand included. In ICC tournaments, he averages over 50. Notably, he tallied 338 runs in the 2017 Champions Trophy (second-most) and has continued that form with clutch knocks like 95 vs NZ in 2023. With 48 ODI hundreds to his name, Kohli walks into any “best XI” on consistency alone.

• Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – Big-game temperament and mastery of spin. Williamson’s calm run accumulation is ideal for a tricky pitch. He has a century and three fifties in Champions Trophy history and averages 47 in ODIs vs India. His ability to absorb pressure and anchor innings against quality spin (learned from years in the subcontinent) makes him a must-have at No.4.

• Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) – Two ICC hundreds vs India, a testament to his impact. Mitchell’s stats against India in ICC events are jaw-dropping: 264 runs in two innings (130 and 134)​. Overall in ODIs, he averages over 50 in Asia. He also adds value as a medium-pace option if needed. A robust middle-order presence who can clear boundaries even on sluggish tracks.

• Tom Latham (New Zealand, Wicketkeeper) – Expert player of spin and reliable finisher. Latham has a healthy average of 46 against India, often coming in tricky situations and steering chases. In Dubai-like conditions, his sweeps and reverse sweeps counter spin threats effectively. Plus, his wicketkeeping is top-notch and free of frills – crucial in a match where one missed stumping off a spinner could change the game.

• Hardik Pandya (India) – Seam-bowling all-rounder and power-hitter. Hardik’s inclusion balances the side. With the ball, he provides cutters and change-ups that have fetched him wickets in middle overs (he took 3/31 vs NZ in a 2022 ODI in Hamilton). With the bat, he’s a game-changer – his career strike rate of 109 in ODIs indicates a player who can tilt the momentum in a few overs. In UAE conditions, Hardik’s IPL experience (he led his franchise to a title in Dubai) is a bonus.

• Ravindra Jadeja (India) – Spin wizard and fielding phenom. Jadeja’s all-around stats are tailor-made for this team. He has 10 wickets in 5 Champions Trophy games in England, and in Asian conditions, he’s even more lethal. In Dubai, his ODI economy rate is under 4.5. Against New Zealand, Jadeja has had success with both bat and ball – notably a 5-wicket haul in a Test in Dubai 2018 and that fighting 77 in the 2019 ODI World Cup semi. He also saves 10-15 runs in the field on average, a priceless asset in a tight match.

• Kuldeep Yadav (India) – Wrist-spin x-factor with a track record against NZ. Kuldeep brings variety as a left-arm wrist-spinner. New Zealand’s batsmen, historically, have sometimes struggled against wrist spin (Kuldeep took a hat-trick against them in 2019). He was the leading spin wicket-taker in ODIs in 2023, and his recent form is sparkling. In the UAE, Kuldeep has played PSL and international games with success, using the slow pitches to his advantage.

• Mohammed Shami (India) – Strike bowler in form, lethal against NZ. Shami’s ODI strike rate (one wicket every 27 balls in CT2025 so far) underlines his impact. He has multiple five-wicket hauls against New Zealand in the past 12 months, including a career-best 7/57. His ability to seam the new ball and reverse swing the old will be crucial in Dubai’s dry climate. Shami also has the experience of bowling in pressure games – he has 40 wickets in ICC ODI tournaments, often providing early breakthroughs.

• Matt Henry (New Zealand) – New-ball specialist and proven India-destroyer. Rounding out the XI is Matt Henry, whose powerplay prowess is well-documented. Henry famously helped reduce India to 5/3 in the 2019 semi with a prodigious swing and seam display​. He averages under 25 with the ball against India. In the Champions Trophy 2017, he troubled batsmen with bounces in English conditions; in Dubai, he’ll rely on cross-seamers and cutters learned from the PSL stints. Henry’s knack of picking up at least one top-order wicket each game is exactly what a stats-minded selection would seek.

This stats-based dream team blends India’s batting might with New Zealand’s bowling craft, creating a fantasy XI that could thrive in the conditions. It’s heavy on experience and big-match proven talent – players who have historically performed at this venue or against these opponents. While such a combined XI won’t actually play, it highlights which individuals to watch: if even half of them fire on Sunday, we’re in for a classic.

A Clash of Titans – Expect Fireworks and Fine Margins

As the sun sets in Dubai on March 2, all eyes will be on how these two well-matched sides exploit the conditions and handle the pressure. The experts are already buzzing about a “contest of spin”, and indeed the spin units of both teams could decide this game. Will India’s trio of tweakers (perhaps Jadeja-Kuldeep-Axar) throttle the Kiwi middle order, or will New Zealand’s Santner-Bracewell combo outfox the Indian batsmen? Fielding could be another differentiator – both sides are athletic, but New Zealand’s sharp catching in ICC knockouts is the stuff of legend. And of course, there is the little matter of handling the pressure. India carries the weight of a billion expectations and the hunger to end a global ODI trophy drought since 2013. New Zealand carries the quiet confidence of a team that knows how to peak at the right time, with no fear of the favorites tag (they’ve happily worn the underdog label while toppling giants).

Recent form suggests a high-quality encounter. India’s batsmen have piled up runs for fun lately, but they now face a disciplined Kiwi bowling attack that rarely gives anything away. Conversely, New Zealand’s top order has yet to be truly tested this tournament; how they handle Shami’s opening spell and the middle-overs choke from India’s spinners will be crucial. Past Champions Trophy meetings between these teams have been rare (their last CT clash was washed out in 2013), but their modern rivalry in ICC events has produced classics – and a few heartaches for India. As former NZ coach Mike Hesson once noted, New Zealand “enjoy a sense of security” in their lineup which allows them to play with freedom. India will look to shatter that confidence early with aggression and flair.

The Dubai International Stadium, with its ring of fire floodlights and enthusiastic expat crowd, is set to provide a fitting backdrop. Expect a lively atmosphere with vociferous support for India (given the large Indian diaspora in the UAE) but also respect for the Black Caps’ sportsmanship. Pitch-wise, a slow burner could mean a tight, low-scoring thriller where the 30s and 40s are gold dust, or if dew intervenes, a slightly higher chase with one batsman making the difference. Either way, every ball will count. As the final group match before the knockouts, this game offers a sneak peek at two serious title contenders.

Key takeaways?

Watch the first 10 overs – if India’s top order gets off to a flyer, they’ll be hard to stop, but if Henry and co. make early inroads, New Zealand could boss the middle overs. Keep an eye on the match-ups: Rohit vs Santner in the powerplay, Kohli vs Henry with the new ball, Williamson vs Jadeja in a battle of wits, and Gill vs Bracewell’s off-spin. These mini-duels will have a large say in the outcome.

In a tournament that’s already seen its share of big hits and dramatic spells, this India-New Zealand contest promises to be a showcase of skill and strategy. As fans, we can expect a gripping 100 overs (and maybe a few more if it gets tight!) of cricket. It’s the kind of match where the margin for error is minimal – a dropped catch or a tactical misstep could swing the pendulum. Both teams will be keen to land a psychological blow ahead of the semifinals. For India, a win would reinforce their status as favorites and exorcise some Kiwi demons. For New Zealand, it would be an affirmation that their ICC dominance over India is no coincidence.

Either way, cricket aficionados are in for a treat. Sit back and enjoy this duel in the desert – if past trends and current form hold true, India vs New Zealand in Dubai will deliver all the intensity and drama that Champions Trophy cricket is loved for. Whether it’s a spin wizard weaving magic or a batsman crafting an epic innings, expect the unexpected when these two meet. One thing is certain: when the lights shine bright in Dubai, both giants will aim to give fans a match to remember, with a finals-like fervor even before the knockouts begin. Game on!