{"id":38982,"date":"2025-03-08T08:39:18","date_gmt":"2025-03-08T08:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ppnewsline.in\/?p=38982"},"modified":"2025-03-08T08:39:18","modified_gmt":"2025-03-08T08:39:18","slug":"ravi-shastri-backs-india-as-favourites-for-champions-trophy-final-against-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ppnewsline.in\/?p=38982","title":{"rendered":"Ravi Shastri Backs India as Favourites for Champions Trophy Final Against New Zealand"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri<\/strong> has tipped India<\/strong> as the favourites in Sunday\u2019s Champions Trophy final<\/strong> against New Zealand<\/strong>, but acknowledged that the margin of advantage is minimal, given the Black Caps’ formidable track record in ICC tournaments.<\/p>\n

India, unbeaten throughout the tournament, stormed into the final after defeating Australia<\/strong> in the semifinal. New Zealand, who finished second in Group A<\/strong> behind India, secured their spot with a dominant victory over South Africa<\/strong> in Lahore<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“If Any Team Can Beat India, It’s New Zealand” \u2013 Shastri<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Speaking on \u2018The ICC Review\u2019<\/strong>, Shastri emphasized that New Zealand remains a strong contender.<\/p>\n

“India start as favourites, but only just. If there\u2019s one team that can beat India, it\u2019s New Zealand.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

The final will be a rematch of the 2000 Champions Trophy final<\/strong>, where New Zealand triumphed by four wickets<\/strong> in Nairobi.<\/p>\n

Key Players to Watch Out For<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Shastri highlighted four New Zealand players who could have a decisive impact:
\ud83d\udd39 Rachin Ravindra<\/strong> \u2013 “Immensely talented, with exceptional fluency at the crease.”
\ud83d\udd39 Kane Williamson<\/strong> \u2013 “Brings stability and a calmness akin to a saint.”
\ud83d\udd39 Mitchell Santner<\/strong> \u2013 “An intelligent leader with great tactical awareness.”
\ud83d\udd39 Glenn Phillips<\/strong> \u2013 “Could be the X-factor with his all-round abilities.”<\/p>\n

For India, Shastri pointed out Virat Kohli\u2019s current form<\/strong> as a potential game-changer, while also acknowledging Williamson\u2019s ability to seize crucial moments.<\/p>\n

“When these guys get going, they are trouble. If you let them get their first 10-15 runs, they become doubly dangerous.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rachin Ravindra: A Rising Star<\/strong><\/h3>\n

At just 25<\/strong>, Ravindra has already smashed five centuries<\/strong> in ICC 50-over tournaments<\/strong>, making him the youngest to achieve this milestone.<\/p>\n

“I love the way he moves in the crease. His fluency is incredible. He\u2019s either forward, back, cutting, sweeping\u2014he plays quicks well and has a strong temperament.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Williamson\u2019s Leadership and Composure<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Shastri lauded Williamson\u2019s impact, especially his recent performances: 81 against India and 102 against South Africa<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s like a saint, a sage meditating. He has a no-nonsense approach and supreme footwork, much like Joe Root and Kohli.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Santner’s Captaincy and Glenn Phillips\u2019 X-Factor<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Shastri credited Santner<\/strong> for leading New Zealand<\/strong> efficiently in his first ICC event as captain.<\/p>\n

“Captaincy suits him. He\u2019s a smart reader of the game, and it adds an edge to his batting and bowling.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

He also highlighted Glenn Phillips<\/strong> as a potential Player of the Match<\/strong>, given his ability to change games with both bat and ball.<\/p>\n

Shastri\u2019s Player of the Match Predictions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\ud83d\udd39 India<\/strong> \u2013 Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja<\/strong> (all-round performance)
\ud83d\udd39 New Zealand<\/strong> \u2013 Glenn Phillips<\/strong> (“Could deliver a match-turning cameo or take crucial wickets.”)<\/p>\n

With both teams stacked with match-winners, Sunday\u2019s Champions Trophy final<\/strong> promises to be an electrifying encounter. \ud83c\udfc6\ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has tipped India as the favourites in Sunday\u2019s Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, but acknowledged that the margin of advantage is minimal, given the Black Caps’ formidable track record in ICC tournaments. India, unbeaten throughout the tournament, stormed into the final after defeating Australia in the semifinal. New […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38983,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\nRavi Shastri Backs India as Favourites for Champions Trophy Final Against New Zealand - PP Newsline<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ppnewsline.in\/?p=38982\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ravi Shastri Backs India as Favourites for Champions Trophy Final Against New Zealand - PP Newsline\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has tipped India as the favourites in Sunday\u2019s Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, but acknowledged that the margin of advantage is minimal, given the Black Caps’ formidable track record in ICC tournaments. 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