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ICC Champions Trophy Final: All you need to know about the India-New Zealand clash in Dubai

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After 18 days of edge-of-the-seat cricket, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has boiled down to this—India vs New Zealand, a winner-takes-all final under the lights in Dubai.

The two cricketing powerhouses will battle for ODI glory at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium this Sunday (1 pm local, 09:00 GMT) in a clash that promises fireworks, fierce rivalries, and unforgettable moments.

Why Dubai? The Drama Behind the Venue Choice

This year’s tournament has already delivered drama off the field, with a standoff between India and Pakistan determining the venue.

The BCCI refused to send its team to Pakistan, forcing the ICC into a last-minute compromise—India’s games (including the final) would be played in neutral Dubai while other matches were split between Pakistan and the UAE.

India’s Road to the Final: Unstoppable Force?

  • India has steamrolled its way through the tournament, winning every game so far. Here’s how they booked their spot in the final:
  • Beat Bangladesh (6 wickets) – Gill’s ton stole the show
  • Beat Pakistan (6 wickets) – A dominant all-round performance
  • Beat New Zealand (44 runs) – A statement win in the group stage
  • Beat Australia (4 wickets) – Held their nerve in a tense semi-final
  • New Zealand’s Route: Resilient as Ever
  • The Kiwis have had a rock-solid campaign, bouncing back from a loss against India to power into the final:
  • Beat Pakistan (60 runs) – A strong start in Karachi
  • Beat Bangladesh (5 wickets) – Showed their clinical edge
  • Lost to India (44 runs) – A rare blip, but lessons learned
  • Beat South Africa (50 runs) – Dominated the semi-final

Players to Watch: Who Can Be the Game-Changer?

  • Virat Kohli (India) – The king of ODI cricket is back in top form, with six centuries against New Zealand in his career. Big players shine in big matches—expect a show.
  • Shubman Gill (India) – The No.1-ranked ODI batter, Gill kicked off the tournament with a ton and will be key at the top of the order.
  • Varun Chakravarthy (India) – The mystery spinner rattled New Zealand with a five-wicket haul in the group stage. Can he do it again in the final?
  • Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – NZ’s batting talisman, Williamson, always steps up in ICC events. His leadership and cool head will be crucial.
  • Matt Henry (New Zealand) – The tournament’s leading wicket-taker, Henry was India’s nightmare in the group stage. His fitness will be a game-time decision.
  • Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) – Captain. Spinner. All-rounder. Santner will be a huge factor with his left-arm spin on a sluggish Dubai track.

Key Battles That Could Decide the Final

  • Gill vs Henry – NZ’s top bowler got Gill out early last time. Can he do it again and give the Blackcaps the perfect start?
  • Kohli vs Santner – Kohli loves a big game, but left-arm spin has troubled him before. Can Santner get the biggest wicket of them all?
  • Williamson vs Shami – Two big-game performers. If Shami can remove Williamson early, India will be in the driver’s seat.
  • Ravindra vs Pandya – The rising Kiwi star takes on India’s all-rounder in a duel that could swing momentum either way.

The Pitch and Weather: What to Expect in Dubai

The Dubai surface has been slow and spin-friendly, favouring bowlers with variations. A new pitch will be used for the final, but expect another low-scoring contest where patience at the crease will be key.

As for the weather—hot, dry, and no rain in sight. Temperatures will hit 34°C at the start, cooling down to 28°C by the evening.

The Prize Money: What’s on the Line?

  • Winners: Dh8.23 million ($2.24 million)
  • Runners-up: Dh4.11 million ($1.12 million)
  • Total prize pool: Dh24.34 million ($6.9 million)

India vs New Zealand: Head-to-Head Stats

  • Matches Played: 119
  • India Wins: 61
  • New Zealand Wins: 50
  • No Results: 7
  • Tied Matches: 1

India has won their last six ODIs against New Zealand, but history means nothing in a final.

Team News: Will There Be Any Changes?

India 

India are unlikely to change their winning XI, with Varun Chakravarthy keeping his place after his match-winning spells. Harshit Rana remains on the bench.

The Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy.

New Zealand

All eyes are on Matt Henry’s injury. If he is fit, NZ will field an unchanged XI. If not, Ben Sears or Nathan Smith could step in.

The Squad: Mitchell Santner (C), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (WK), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young

How and where to watch: Streaming

Fans in more than 80 territories can watch via ICC.tv and free audio of all 15 matches is available via the ICC match centre globally. The fans can also check the live ball-by-ball commentary on icc-cricket.com.

In India, the JioStar network will broadcast the finals. On TV, in addition to the English feed, the network will provide coverage in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada across Star Sports and Sports18 channels.

In Pakistan, fans will be able to catch the live action via linear partners PTV and Ten Sports and digitally through the Myco and Tamasha apps. 

UAE and the entire MENA region will have the game broadcasted via CricLife MAX and CricLife MAX2, with streaming available on STARZPLAY.

UK cricket fans can enjoy the action on Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action and digitally via the SkyGO, NOW, and Sky Sports App.

On Radio

UK: BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

India: All India Radio

Pakistan: HUM 106.2FM

UAE: Talk 100.3FM and Big 106.2

Bangladesh: Radio Shadhin 92.4 and Radio Bhumi 92.8

Sri Lanka: Lakhanda Radio

On TV:

  • Broadcast Details (TV and Digital):
  • India: JioStar (Live streaming on Jio Hotstar, Television coverage on Star and Network 18 channels)
  • Pakistan: PTV and Ten Sports, Streaming options: Myco and Tamasha app
  • UAE and MENA: CricLife Max and CricLife Max2, Streaming option: STARZPLAY
  • UK: Live broadcasting on Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action, Digital coverage via SkyGO, NOW and Sky Sports App
  • USA and Canada: WillowTV, streaming on Willow by Cricbuzz app (Hindi coverage available)
  • Caribbean: ESPNCaribbean on TV, streaming via ESPN Play Caribbean app
  • Australia: PrimeVideo (coverage also available in Hindi)
  • New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ, digital coverage via Now and SkyGo app.
  • South Africa and sub-Saharan territories: SuperSport and SuperSport App
  • Bangladesh: Nagorik TV and T Sports for linear broadcast, digital via Toffee app
  • Afghanistan: ATN
  • Sri Lanka: Maharaja TV (TV1 on Linear), Digital via Sirasa

Tickets: Can You Still Get In?

  • Official ICC tickets – Sold out
  • Resale platforms – Limited tickets available but at sky-high prices

The stage is set. The players are ready. The cricket world is watching. Will India extend their dominance, or will New Zealand pull off an upset for the ages? All eyes will be on Dubai on Sunday, March 9, for the ultimate battle for the prestigious trophy.

(Source: ICC, agencies)

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With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

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Canada Super 60 names Women’s Trophy after cricketing legend Mel Jones

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15 hours ago

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September 24, 2025

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Canada’s pioneering cricket league, Canada Super 60, has announced that its inaugural Women’s Trophy will be named in honour of Mel Jones, the former Australian cricketer, respected broadcaster, and tireless advocate for women’s cricket.
Canada Super 60 is the world’s first-ever ten-over-a-side event to launch with both men’s and women’s competitions from its inaugural season. The league will be staged under the roof of the iconic BC Place in Vancouver, showcasing international stars alongside homegrown Canadian talent.

As part of its commitment to celebrating women’s cricket and inspiring future generations, Canada Super 60 will name the Women’s Trophy each year after an international women’s cricket legend. This tradition will not only create awareness but also honour trailblazers whose contributions have shaped the women’s game.

This year, the league has chosen Mel Jones—not only for her outstanding career in cricket and broadcasting, but also for her leadership off the field. Jones has been a leading voice for women’s cricket worldwide, and the ICC has widely recognized her efforts. She played a pivotal role in supporting Afghan women cricketers forced to flee their homeland after the Taliban takeover in 2021, helping coordinate their evacuation to Australia, providing resources, and co-founding the Pitch Our Future initiative to support their education and sporting careers. In recognition of these efforts, she was honoured with the prestigious MCC Spirit of Cricket Award in 2025.

Thanks to her advocacy and international coordination, many of these Afghan players found refuge abroad including two who are now living in Canada, following the Canadian government’s support for their refugee applications. This aligns with the Canada Super 60 vision of using cricket as a platform for opportunity and inclusion. Mel Jones on Receiving the Honour said “This honour from Canada Super 60 truly humbles me,” said Mel Jones. “To have the Women’s Trophy named after me is something very special. What excites me most is the vision behind this initiative creating more opportunities and visibility for women’s cricket, especially in associate nations. Platforms like Canada Super 60 will inspire and empower a new generation of players. My hope is that one day, a Canadian cricket legend will have this trophy named after them, as the women’s game continues to grow in this country.”

The Canada Super 60 Women’s Trophy will be presented at BC Place, Vancouver, during the inaugural edition of the tournament, taking place from October 8–13, 2025.

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Sports

DP World announces 2026 global schedule with record $157.5 million prize money and exciting new venues

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2 weeks ago

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September 12, 2025

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Golf fans, mark your calendars. The DP World Tour has announced its blockbuster 2026 global schedule, featuring 42 tournaments across 25 countries and a record-breaking $157.5 million prize fund (excluding the Majors).

Headlining the season are two exciting highlights:

  • The Estrella Damm Catalunya Championship in Barcelona (May 7-10), making its debut at Real Club de Golf El Prat. The event celebrates Spain’s growing importance in world golf ahead of hosting the 2031 Ryder Cup.
  • A brand-new venue for the Amgen Irish Open, which will be staged at Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg, from September 10-13.

The 2026 schedule will once again be divided into five Global Swings, the Back 9, and the DP World Tour Play-Offs, culminating with the Race to Dubai finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates in November.

Dubai remains at the heart of the season with three tournaments:

  • The Dubai Invitational (January 15-18)
  • The prestigious Hero Dubai Desert Classic (January 22-25), part of the Rolex Series
  • The season-ending DP World Tour Championship (November 12-15)

Other Rolex Series events include the Genesis Scottish Open, BMW PGA Championship, and the Abu Dhabi Championship, ensuring fans will see top fields competing for major points and prestige.

Key Changes for Players

The DP World Tour also confirmed updates to its membership structure to create more balance and clarity. Among the changes:

  • Only the top 100 players will keep full cards for 2027 (previously 110).
  • Fewer Qualifying School spots: 15 cards instead of 20.
  • Conditional categories for those finishing just outside the cut-off.

DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings said:

“Our 2026 schedule once again showcases our global talent in global destinations as we celebrate the diversity of the courses and cultures we visit.”


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Events

Hero Dubai Desert Classic launches global Green Incubator Challenge 

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2 weeks ago

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September 10, 2025

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The Hero Dubai Desert Classic isn’t just about world-class golf anymore; it’s about shaping a greener future.

In partnership with Deloitte, the tournament has launched the Green Incubator Challenge, a first-of-its-kind global call for ideas that could transform how sports and entertainment events tackle climate change.

The challenge is open to entrepreneurs, start-ups, students, and companies worldwide. Organisers say they’re looking for both fresh concepts and ready-to-deploy solutions that can make events more sustainable.

And here’s the big prize: the winning idea will be rolled out at the 2027 DP World Tour and Rolex Series tournament — giving it a global platform.

To help participants succeed, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic team and Deloitte will provide expert mentoring, guidance, and evaluation, ensuring that the solutions are not only bold but also practical and scalable.

“Through this challenge, we aim to identify visionary ideas that will shape the future of sustainable events globally,” said Simon Corkill, Executive Tournament Director of Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

The initiative is also part of the DP World Tour’s Green Drive programme, which is committed to achieving net-zero carbon by 2040.

Key Dates 

  • November 18 – Shortlist announced
  • December 19 – Three finalists revealed
  • 2026 Tournament – Final pitches to expert judges

With this challenge, Dubai is sending a clear message: the future of global events must be sustainable, and innovation starts here.

To register for the challenge, visit https://dubaidesertclassic.com

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