Kolkata (West Bengal) [India]: As India prepares to face New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday, former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta expressed confidence in two of India’s key players—captain Rohit Sharma and pacer Mohammed Shami.
Rohit Sharma’s Form and Expectations
Rohit Sharma has struggled for big scores recently, but Dasgupta is hopeful that the Indian skipper can deliver a match-winning performance in the final.
“Rohit is known for double hundreds. His playing nature has changed, and so has the team’s approach. We definitely hope that instead of scores of 30-40, he will get 130 or 140, but the way he is playing, it is important for him to continue in that manner,” Dasgupta told ANI.
Rohit’s aggressive style and past performances in crucial matches make him a vital player for India’s title aspirations.
Praise for Mohammed Shami’s ODI Record
Dasgupta was emphatic in his praise for Mohammed Shami, highlighting the pacer’s impressive record in ODIs.
“What about Shami? I mean, listen—just look at the record. Nobody has a better record than him in ODIs. So, leave him as he is. He is very good,” he added.
Shami’s ability to strike early with the new ball and his expertise in the death overs make him a key asset for India against a strong New Zealand batting lineup.
India’s Unbeaten Run and the New Zealand Challenge
India has been undefeated in the tournament so far, while New Zealand has been formidable under Mitchell Santner’s captaincy. The final is set to be an epic sequel to the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy final, which New Zealand won. The Men in Blue are also seeking to avenge their defeats to the Blackcaps in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal and the 2021 ICC World Test Championship final.
In their last encounter, India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs, defending a total of 249. Varun Chakaravarthy starred with the ball, taking 5/42—the same figures as New Zealand’s Matt Henry, who also claimed 5/42.
Key Performances in the Previous Match
- India:
- Shreyas Iyer: Top-scored with 79 off 98 balls.
- Varun Chakaravarthy: 5 wickets for 42 runs.
- New Zealand:
- Kane Williamson: Fought valiantly with 81 off 120 balls.
- Matt Henry: 5 wickets for 42 runs.
India’s spinners were particularly effective, combining for nine wickets on a pitch favoring turn.
Squads for the Final
India Squad:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand Squad:
Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham (w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke, Daryl Mitchell, Nathan Smith, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy.
With the stakes high and both teams boasting strong line-ups, the final is poised to be a thrilling contest. The battle between India’s in-form spinners and New Zealand’s resilient batsmen could be the deciding factor.