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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)

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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DP World ILT20 donates tournament gear to children in Madagascar through Gulf for Good partnership

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The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) is extending its impact well beyond the cricket pitch, to Madagascar, where children are now proudly wearing official ILT20 merchandise from last season, thanks to a charitable partnership with Gulf for Good, a UAE-based non-profit.

As part of its CSR initiative, the ILT20 has donated over 500 pieces of branded merchandise to children in need through Gulf for Good’s Outreach Programme. The initiative is part of a broader effort to support education and community development projects around the world, with over 2,000 children expected to benefit in the long run.

“This initiative is all about making a small contribution to a much bigger cause,” said David White, CEO of DP World ILT20.
“We’re proud to call the UAE our home, a country that is globally recognised for its generosity. As the region’s biggest cricket league, we are committed to making a positive impact beyond the field.”

Looking ahead: ILT20 Season 4 set for UAE National Day launch

The DP World ILT20 Season 4 will return in style this winter, kicking off with a blockbuster opening on UAE National Day (December 2) and wrapping up with the grand final on January 4, 2026. The six-team, 34-match tournament continues to grow in popularity, drawing international stars and thousands of fans from across the region.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket applications to open on September 10

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Football fans, mark your calendars: FIFA has announced that the first ticket application phase for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will open on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

The tournament, set to be the biggest FIFA World Cup ever, will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches.

With demand expected to be massive, FIFA is urging fans around the world to pre-register at FIFA.com/tickets and create a FIFA ID now to be ready for the draw.

“These will be the most coveted seats in world sport,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We’re excited to welcome the world back to North America for what will be the greatest sporting event ever.”

Key tournament dates

  • Opening match: Thursday, June 11, 2026 Mexico City
  • Final match: Sunday, July 19, 2026 – New York/New Jersey

The announcement follows the success of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, also hosted in the U.S., which drew nearly 2.5 million fans across 11 cities, a strong preview of what fans can expect in 2026.

What fans can expect

  • 48 national teams competing
  • Matches across 3 countries and multiple cities
  • 6.5 million fans expected to attend
  • First ticket draw opens September 10, 2025

Whether you’re planning a summer trip or simply want to be part of football history, now’s the time to act. Register your interest and get ready to secure your place for what’s set to be a truly unforgettable tournament

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Jannik Sinner triumphs over adversity to win first Wimbledon Title

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Jannik Sinner made history on Sunday by defeating Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to claim his first Wimbledon title, becoming Italy’s first-ever singles champion at the All England Club. The 23-year-old world No. 1 overcame months of personal and professional challenges to lift his fourth Grand Slam trophy and his first since returning from a doping-related ban.

Sinner’s victory marks a remarkable comeback after a turbulent start to the year. Though he won the Australian Open in January, his career was briefly clouded by controversy when he tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol. Tennis authorities later cleared Sinner of fault, stating the substance entered his system via a massage cream applied by a member of his support team. Despite the ruling, he served a voluntary three-month suspension imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), returning to competition in May.

“Very emotional, even if I don’t cry,” Sinner told reporters after his win. “Only me and the people who are close to me know what we have been through on and off the court. It has been everything except easy.”

Sunday’s victory was especially sweet as it came just weeks after Sinner lost a heart-wrenching French Open final to Alcaraz, where he had three match points. The Wimbledon win also snapped a five-match losing streak against the Spaniard.

Sinner credited his team, including Australian coach Darren Cahill, for helping him regain focus and confidence.

“We’ve tried to push every practice session, even if I was struggling at times mentally,” he said. “I feel like when I play the match, I can switch off and just play. That helped me a lot.”

Cahill praised Sinner’s resilience, noting the Italian’s mental strength in overcoming the Roland Garros disappointment.

“You could see from his first match here that he wasn’t carrying any baggage from Paris. That’s not easy to do,” said Cahill. “For him to wipe that away and bring this mentality is 100% credit to him.”

Sinner himself reflected on the lessons learned in Paris, saying the loss made him more determined.

“I always tried to be honest with myself and to accept it,” he said. “If you lose a Grand Slam final that way, it’s much better than when someone just outplays you.”

With his Wimbledon win, Sinner cements his place among tennis’s elite, proving that mental fortitude can be just as crucial as physical talent in the journey to greatness.

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