The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand, set to take place on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium, has generated massive interest. All 25,000 tickets for the marquee event’s final match have been sold out.
Ticket prices ranged from AED 250 for general admission to AED 12,000 for the exclusive Sky Box hospitality, generating an estimated AED 9 million in ticket sales.
India, unbeaten in the tournament so far, will face New Zealand, who have been solid with both bat and ball under Mitchell Santner’s captaincy. The clash is set to be a thrilling sequel to the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy final, where New Zealand emerged victorious. The Men in Blue will also seek to avenge their defeats to the Black Caps in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal and the 2021 ICC World Test Championship final.
India did not travel to Pakistan due to security concerns and played all their matches in Dubai, unlike other teams that had to shuttle between Pakistan and Dubai during the league stage and semifinals. This scheduling has sparked controversy, with former cricketers like Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton arguing that India had an advantage due to minimal travel, consistent playing conditions, and a squad selected specifically for Dubai’s pitches.
New Zealand, who finished second in Group A, will be keen to learn from their previous encounter with India in the tournament. In that match, India secured a 44-run victory, posting 249 runs in 50 overs and bowling out New Zealand for 205 in the 46th over.
While spin has been a major talking point in the UAE, it was Matt Henry who stood out for New Zealand with figures of 5/42 in eight overs. For India, Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 79 off 98 balls. Kane Williamson fought valiantly for the Kiwis with an 81 off 120 balls but lacked middle-order support. India’s spinners took nine wickets, with ‘secret weapon’ Varun Chakaravarthy claiming 5/42—matching Henry’s figures—in just his second One Day International.
(ANI)
