India’s batting maestro and New Zealand’s spin wizard set for a high-stakes showdown in Dubai
Dubai [UAE], March 9 – As India and New Zealand clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, one crucial battle could determine the fate of the match: Virat Kohli vs. Mitchell Santner.
Both players have been in exceptional form this tournament. Kohli, India’s batting pillar, is the fourth-highest run-getter with 217 runs at an average of 72, including a century and a fifty. Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Santner has led from the front, scalping seven wickets at an average of 27.71, with best figures of 3/43.
Head-to-Head: Who Has the Edge?
As per ESPNCricinfo, Kohli and Santner have faced off in 16 innings, with Kohli scoring 180 runs off 259 balls at a solid average of 60.00 and a strike rate of 69.49. The Indian star has hit five fours and two sixes against Santner but has been dismissed only three times—showcasing his ability to negotiate the left-arm spinner.
However, since 2020, left-arm spinners have proven to be Kohli’s Achilles’ heel. In 26 innings, he has managed just 372 runs, averaging 33.81, with 11 dismissals. His strike rate against left-arm spinners is 75.15, with only 15 fours and four sixes—a stat that Santner will be keen to exploit.
With Kohli’s hunger for big games and Santner’s tactical brilliance, this individual duel could very well shape the outcome of the high-stakes final.
Squads for the Final
India Squad:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rishabh Pant.
New Zealand Squad:
Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke, Nathan Smith, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy.
With India seeking revenge for past ICC heartbreaks and New Zealand aiming for another historic triumph, all eyes will be on Kohli vs. Santner—who will emerge victorious in this mini-battle within the grand finale?
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