Key players and factors in Champions Trophy final

India and New Zealand will face off in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday to determine the winner of the prestigious eight-nation ODI tournament.

New Zealand’s pace spearhead Matt Henry, who leads the bowling charts with 10 wickets, has been a standout performer. In the group match against India, Henry took five wickets, including the dismissals of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, reducing India to 30-3.

Despite New Zealand’s loss in that match, Henry’s performance, including his figures of 5-42, remains a highlight. His opening burst in the final could be vital for New Zealand in gaining the upper hand.

Wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy, a late addition to India’s squad, had an outstanding debut in the tournament, taking 5-42 against New Zealand. His mystery spin, with a variety of deliveries, has proven troublesome for opponents.

Chakravarthy also took two wickets in the semifinal against Australia. If selected for the final, he could play a crucial role on pitches that have favored spinners.

Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson enter the final on the back of impressive centuries in the semifinal against South Africa. The pair put together 164 runs in a match-winning stand, with both showing their ability to tackle Indian spinners.

Williamson, 34, also scored 81 runs in the earlier match against India. Ravindra, 25, and Williamson will pose a serious threat to India, especially on a sluggish pitch, with Mitchell Santner, New Zealand’s left-arm spinner, noting that their batting makes life “a little easier” for the bowlers.

India’s captain Rohit Sharma hasn’t yet reached top form in the tournament, with his highest score being 41 in the opening win against Bangladesh. Although he hasn’t converted starts into big scores, his consistency has been crucial for India, providing quick starts that allow other players to build innings.

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir defended Rohit, stating, “You evaluate from the runs; we evaluate from the impact. That’s the difference.”

The pitches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium have been a topic of discussion, with India playing all their matches at the same venue after opting not to tour Pakistan for political reasons.

The surface has been sluggish and favored spinners, with Australia posting the highest total of the tournament, 264, which India successfully chased down with 11 balls to spare.

In contrast, the pitches in Pakistan have produced higher scores, with New Zealand setting a Champions Trophy record of 362-6 before restricting South Africa to 312-9 in Lahore.

While India remains at their temporary home in Dubai for the final, New Zealand’s Ravindra emphasized, “We pride ourselves in adapting and playing the situation in front of us.” Both teams will have to adjust to the different conditions in the final as they battle for the Champions Trophy title.