The India vs New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025 final is set to be a thrilling battle. India are unbeaten, while New Zealand’s only defeat came against them in the group stage. This is India’s third consecutive ICC final after the 2023 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup.
A major talking point has been India’s advantage of playing all their matches in Dubai, while other teams travelled across venues. This was a pre-decided move as the BCCI chose not to send the team to Pakistan, the tournament’s official hosts.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin strongly criticised those pushing the ‘venue advantage’ narrative in the Champions Trophy, dismissing the narrative as unfair. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he remarked, “I can only laugh at the questions aimed at our captain and coaches about home advantage. In the 2009 Champions Trophy, South Africa played all their matches at the same venue but didn’t reach the final. That wasn’t their fault. India deserves credit for playing exceptional cricket and reaching the final based on performance. The last time India played in Dubai was during COVID; since then, teams like New Zealand, England, and South Africa have played here.”
Ashwin added. “There’s a certain team that comes here, loses 4-0, and then blames the pitch. Criticising our players with such narratives is unfair, and even seeing Indians believe them is concerning. I still feel nervous. After New Zealand’s win over South Africa, I’m thinking, ‘Can they hurt us again?’”
The scheduling has sparked discussions within cricketing circles, with former players like Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton suggesting that India benefited from playing at a single venue. They argue that reduced travel time, familiarity with conditions, and squad selection based on Dubai’s pitches have given them an edge over other teams.
Meanwhile, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead talked about the challenges of travel and preparation before the final. “Playing in Lahore and then travelling for a full day has been tiring. However, we have a couple of days to rest, plan, and train. At this stage of the tournament, it is not always about hard training but making sure both the body and mind are ready for the final,” he said.