CT Final: Can India Finally Break NZ’s ICC Curse?

India vs New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Stadium on March 9.

India is unbeaten in the tournament while New Zealand has bounced back strongly after a wobbly start with a record breaking semi final performance.

Both teams have already met in the group stage where India won by 44 runs but New Zealand has a reputation of turning up in big ICC matches.

New Zealand massacred South Africa in the semi final and posted a Champions Trophy record 362/6.

Rachin Ravindra (108) and Kane Williamson (102) led the charge, supported by Glenn Phillips (49) and Daryl Mitchell (49). South Africa fought hard but couldn’t keep up.

David Miller smashed a last ball century (100) but apart from Rassie van der Dussen (69) and Temba Bavuma (56) no one could build a match winning partnership. The Proteas fell 50 runs short of another ICC trophy.

India and New Zealand have met in several ICC big matches. New Zealand broke India’s heart in the 2019 World Cup semi final and the 2021 WTC final but India struck back in the 2023 ODI World Cup semi final.

Now they meet again in an ICC final with India looking to dominate and New Zealand to continue their big match magic.

Had South Africa qualified would they have been a bigger threat to India? Maybe. Their fast bowling trio of Rabada, Ngidi and Nortje would have tested India’s batsmen.

But their history of collapsing under pressure makes it uncertain whether they could have handled an ICC final. New Zealand is a knockout performer.

India is dominant and unbeaten while New Zealand has peaked at the right time. Dubai conditions might favour India’s spinners but if New Zealand’s top order fires again it will be a high voltage battle.

India wants to assert its white ball supremacy while New Zealand is chasing another historic ICC title. March 9, cricket fans can expect nothing less than an epic final.