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As Team India prepares to take on New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, cricket fans across the country are rallying behind the Men in Blue, hoping to see them lift the marquee event's tittle after 12 years.
Ahead of the highly anticipated clash, a young Indian supporter from Mumbai expressed confidence in the team's victory and predicted a celebratory victory march. "India will win. Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and even Rohit Sharma will score today. New Zealand bowlers deliver pull-shot balls, and Rohit Sharma excels at those. The Champions Trophy will be brought home, and a victory march will be held at Marine Drive," he told ANI. Another fan added, "India will win if they put up a big total in the first innings. Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill will score. Chasing is difficult on the Dubai pitch, so India should bat first." With India aiming for another major ICC title, all eyes will be on how they tackle New Zealand's challenge in what promises to be a high-stakes final. India remains unbeaten in the tournament, while the Kiwis have displayed remarkable consistency under Mitchell Santner's leadership. The final sets up an epic sequel to the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy title clash, which New Zealand won. The Men in Blue will also be looking to avenge their losses to the Black Caps in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal and the 2021 ICC World Test Championship final. In their most recent encounter, India secured a 44-run victory over New Zealand, posting 249 runs before bundling out the opposition for 205 in the 46th over. While spin has played a crucial role in UAE conditions, Kiwi pacer Matt Henry stood out with figures of 5/42 in eight overs. For India, Shreyas Iyer top-scored with a composed 79 off 98 balls. Kane Williamson fought valiantly for the Kiwis with an 81 off 120 balls but lacked support from the middle order. India's spinners were instrumental, combining for nine wickets, with Varun Chakaravarthy emerging as the "secret weapon," claiming 5/42 in just his second ODI. (ANI)
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