Connect with us

Sports

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

Published

1 year ago

on

Spread the love

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)

Related Topics:

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.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Sports

DP World ILT20 Season 4 shatters records with 397 million viewers and 2.5 billion video views

Published

8 hours ago

on

April 10, 2026

By

Spread the love

The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) has officially cemented its status as a global cricket powerhouse. Following the conclusion of Season 4, new data reveals the league has tightened its grip as the second-most watched cricket league in the world, reaching a staggering 397 million unique viewers across TV and OTT platforms.

This represents a 7.49% increase over Season 3, fuelled by expansive broadcast syndication and the maiden title victory of the Desert Vipers on January 4, 2026.

Digital dominance: 2.5 billion views

While the TV numbers are impressive, the league’s digital footprint saw an even more explosive surge. DP World ILT20 platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, amassed over 2.5 billion video views during the season.

“This season we have further strengthened our position… with significant gains across all platforms,” said David White, CEO of DP World ILT20.

“Our digital content, focusing on both high-stakes action and off-field fan engagement, has truly resonated with a global audience.”

Season 4 statistical highlights

  • Global Reach: 397 million unique viewers (7.49% YoY growth).
  • Viral Content: Over 350 social media posts surpassed the 1 million views mark.
  • Star Power: Features elite talent including Sam Curran (Player of the Tournament), Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, and Shakib Al Hasan.

Joseph Eapen, Managing Partner at GSIQ, noted that for such a young tournament, achieving this level of international relevance is a “highly credible and noteworthy achievement.”

With Season 4 in the books, the league is already looking toward the future. Officials have confirmed that dates for Season 5 will be unveiled in the coming days, promising an even larger spectacle for cricket fans worldwide.

Continue Reading

News

Dubai airport welcomes travellers with special Dubai World Cup passport stamp

Published

2 weeks ago

on

March 27, 2026

By

Spread the love

Travellers arriving at Dubai International Airport are being greeted with a unique souvenir, a special stamp on their passports celebrating the Dubai World Cup 2026.

The initiative, launched by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), marks the 30th edition (Pearl Jubilee) of one of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events.

A grand sporting celebration

The iconic Dubai World Cup will take place on Saturday, March 28 at Meydan Racecourse, drawing global attention from racing fans and elite stables.

This year’s event promises high-stakes action:

  • 100 horses from top international stables
  • Nine races across the evening
  • Total prize pool of $30.5 million

Spotlight on the main race

The highlight of the night is the $12 million Dubai World Cup race, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Run over 2,000 metres on dirt, the Group 1 race will feature some of the world’s top thoroughbreds, including:

  • “Hit Show” – last year’s winner
  • “Forever Young” – UAE Derby and Saudi Cup champion
  • “Imperial Emperor”
  • “Meidan” – Super Saturday winner

A memorable arrival experience

The commemorative passport stamp adds a celebratory touch for visitors landing in Dubai, tying their arrival to one of the city’s biggest sporting spectacles.

With excitement building ahead of race day, Dubai is once again showcasing its ability to blend world-class sport with unique visitor experiences.

Continue Reading

News

Football superstar Erling Haaland invests in Norway Chess to launch global ‘Total Chess’ Championship Tour

Published

3 weeks ago

on

March 23, 2026

By

Spread the love

Soccer superstar Erling Haaland has announced a major investment in Norway Chess, backing the launch of a new global competition format, the Total Chess World Championship Tour.

The initiative, unveiled in Oslo, aims to transform chess into a more spectator-friendly and widely accessible sport. Haaland has partnered with Norwegian business leader Morten Borge to establish a new company, Chess Mates, which will become a significant stakeholder in Norway Chess.

Haaland said his investment reflects a strong belief in chess as both a mental discipline and a global spectator sport.

“Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead,” he said.

The newly announced Total Chess World Championship Tour is set to feature four tournaments annually across different cities, bringing together the world’s top players. The competition will crown an overall world champion based on combined performance in three formats: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz.

The tour has been approved by the International Chess Federation for a minimum of 16 years, underscoring its long-term ambition and significance within the global chess calendar.

A pilot tournament is scheduled for autumn 2026, with the first full season expected in 2027. Each season will include four events and offer a minimum prize pool of $2.7 million.

Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and Total Chess, welcomed Haaland’s involvement, describing it as a major step forward for the sport.

He said Haaland’s global influence and appeal would help attract new audiences and elevate the profile of chess worldwide, adding that preparations are now in the final stages to secure host cities for the inaugural tour.

With millions of fans worldwide, Haaland’s move into chess investment signals a growing crossover between elite sport and strategic mind games, potentially reshaping how chess is consumed and followed globally.

Continue Reading

Popular

© Copyright 2025 HEADLINE. All rights reserved

https://headline.ae/