India vs New Zealand Champions Trophy Showdown: Key Updates

The highly anticipated India vs New Zealand encounter in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place in Dubai on Sunday. Both teams are unbeaten so far in the tournament, making this match crucial in determining the Group A leader. With semi-final berths already secured, the teams will battle for momentum heading into the knockout stage.

Team News & Injury Updates

India:

Rohit Sharma Available – The Indian skipper suffered a hamstring injury in the last match against Pakistan, but assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that Sharma is fit to play.
Virat Kohli’s Milestone – Kohli will be playing his 300th ODI, and he is on the verge of breaking Shikhar Dhawan’s record for most runs by an Indian in the Champions Trophy.

New Zealand:

Daryl Mitchell Returns – The middle-order batsman, who missed the game against Bangladesh due to illness, has fully recovered and is set to rejoin the playing XI.
Selection Dilemma – With Mitchell back, New Zealand’s coach Gary Stead faces a tough call on team composition.

Weather & Pitch Conditions

Temperature: Expected to be around 25°C with clear skies.
Wind Conditions: Breeze at 20 km/h, which could assist fast bowlers early on.
Pitch Report: The Dubai pitch is known for slow turn in the second innings, favoring teams batting first.

Historical Context: India vs New Zealand in Champions Trophy

The last time these two teams met in a Champions Trophy match was in 2000, when New Zealand won the final.
In 118 ODIs between them, India holds a slight edge with 60 wins, while New Zealand has 50 victories.

What’s at Stake?

The winner tops Group A, securing a favorable semi-final draw.
Ongoing uncertainty over semi-final venues due to India’s security concerns about playing in Pakistan could impact the tournament’s scheduling.