The stage is set for a thrilling final as India takes on New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Sunday, March 10. Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are eager to see if India can continue their dominant form or if New Zealand can spring a surprise. The pitch, as always, will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the match.

A Familiar Surface for India

The pitch for the grand finale will be the same one used for the Group A clash between India and Pakistan on February 23. This surface has already proven to be slow and sluggish, offering significant assistance to spinners—an aspect that favors the Indian team. In that match, Pakistan struggled against India’s spin attack, with Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja picking up five wickets collectively. Varun Chakravarthy was not part of that game, but his recent form suggests he could be a key player in the final.

Pitch Analysis: Slower with Spin-Friendly Conditions

Dubai pitches have consistently assisted bowlers more than batters throughout this tournament. The average first-innings score across four games played at this venue is 246, with Australia’s 264 against India in the semifinals being the highest total. In contrast, matches played in Pakistan have seen a higher average score of 295. Given the slow nature of the pitch and the presence of high-quality Indian spinners, the conditions are likely to favor India’s bowling attack.

Key Players to Watch

India’s Spin Quartet: Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Varun Chakravarthy will be vital on this pitch. With all four in excellent form, India will look to dominate New Zealand with their spin arsenal.

New Zealand’s Middle Order: The Kiwis will need to find a way to counter India's spinners. Players like Kane Williamson and Tom Latham will be crucial in tackling the spin challenge.

India’s Batting Depth: Despite spin-friendly conditions, India's batting has been remarkable in this tournament. Solid starts from openers and reliable performances from the middle order have been key factors in their unbeaten run.

Pitch Preparation & Conditions

There are 10 pitches at DICS, managed by Australian curator Matthew Sandery. All of them are similar in nature—slow with noticeable assistance for spinners. The ICC has used four different pitches in this tournament, and the final will be played on a reused one from the center of the square. Since the last match on this surface was played over two weeks ago, it has had ample time to recover, ensuring a balanced contest.

Expert Insights

India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, has emphasized the adaptability of the Indian batsmen. “In every match, the wicket changes slightly. However, our batsmen have shown their ability to adjust and perform well. We've been fortunate to get strong starts, and when needed, our middle order has stepped up,” he said during a training session at the ICC Academy on Friday.

Final Thoughts

With India being the only team to bowl out all their opponents in this tournament, they will enter the final with high confidence. However, New Zealand is known for their resilience in ICC tournaments, making this clash a must-watch. Expect a battle of skill, strategy, and nerves as both teams aim to lift the prestigious Champions Trophy.

Stay tuned for live updates and expert analysis as we bring you all the action from the grand finale!