Explained! Why India Are Not Favourites To Win ICC Champions Trophy Final Against New Zealand? (Source: AP)
India and New Zealand will lock horns in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Stadium. India have been top notch in the tournament and defeated Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand in the league stage to qualify for the semifinal where they beat Australia. New Zealand, on the other hand, beat Pakistan, Bangladesh but suffered a defeat to India. They defeated South Africa in the semifinal to book a title clash with India.
India vs New Zealand LIVE SCORE
India have a better-equipped team given the conditions but New Zealand are no walkovers. In fact, both teams have a 50-50 chance of winning heading into the final. This might look a stretched claim as India are better suited to the conditions, and have been playing quality cricket, but New Zealand's smart tactics and ability to stay calm under pressure make them a big threat. Also, having played in Dubai before, they are well used to the conditions, just like India. New Zealand have always done well against India in ICC knockout matches, having defeated them three times in four matches, and it won't be a shock if they add more knockout wins to their tally.
India's strength in the final will be their spin quartet of Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, but New Zealand have weapons of their own - a threatening Mitchell Santner, a very, very handy Michael Bracewell and a useful Glenn Phillips.
India's batters have been firing all cylinders in the tournament but New Zealand are not far behind with Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham, and Will Young already scoring a hundred. Ravindra, in fact, has scored two centuries in the tournament.
In terms of fast bowling, New Zealand are ahead of India with Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and William O Rourke doing exceptionally well.
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