The ICC Champions Trophy is nearing its conclusion and on Wednesday we will learn who will take on India in Sunday's final in Dubai.
ndia have reached their third consecutive tournament final and Rohit Sharma's men are hot favourites to beat New Zealand in Sunday's Champions Trophy showdown in Dubai.
After a surprise defeat to Australia in the 2023 World Cup final on home turf, India were crowned T20 world champions in the Caribbean last year, beating South Africa in a tense final.
New Zealand eased past the Proteas in Wednesday's Champions Trophy semi-final and they are hoping to avenge last weekend's 44-run defeat to India in Group A.
- KANE WILLIAMSON TOP NEW ZEALAND RUNSCORER
- VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY TOP INDIA WICKET-TAKER
- SHREYAS IYER TO SCORE OVER 28.5 RUNS
Williamson To Play Key Role
The Champions Trophy is bringing out the best in a couple of vastly experienced batsmen and India's Virat Kohli and New Zealand's Kane Williamson both played crucial innings in the semi-finals.
Kohli, whose unbeaten 100 had steered India to a Group A win over rivals Pakistan, broke the back of their run-chase against Australia with a classy 84 in Tuesday's semi.
A day later, former New Zealand captain Williamson made a sparkling 102 off 94 balls against South Africa, propelling his side to a matchwinning total of 362-6.
Williamson looks a good bet to top-score for the Black Caps in Sunday's final in Dubai, where he fought a lone battle with India's bowlers last weekend.
He made a measured 81 but the Indian spinners proved too sharp for his teammates and the next-highest score of the innings was 28 from captain Mitchell Santner, batting at number eight.
Williamson may well play the anchor role for the underdogs on Sunday and he has a terrific recent record in ODIs.
He scored 69 in the 2023 World Cup semi-final defeat to India and warmed up for this tournament with 58, 133 not out and 34 in the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa.
KANE WILLIAMSON TOP NEW ZEALAND RUNSCORER
Varun To Put Opponents In A Spin
Leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy has made a triumphant return to India's white-ball set-up and he ran through New Zealand's lower order to finish with 5-42 from 10 overs last weekend.
Varun followed up with two more wickets in the semi-final win over Australia, claiming the key scalp of opener Travis Head with his second delivery of the match.
The 33-year-old made his ODI debut only last month against England, having forced his way into contention thanks to some brilliant T20 performances.
He tormented the English batsmen in January's home T20 series, claiming 14 wickets in five games, and he should pose a major threat in Dubai's spin-friendly conditions.
VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY TOP INDIA WICKET-TAKER
Iyer Can Punish Black Caps Again
India's Shreyas Iyer has played an important supporting role in their four Champions Trophy victories and is a model of runscoring consistency in the middle-order.
Iyer's ability to keep the scoreboard ticking against spin has been vital for his side and he should be backed to score 29 or more runs in the final.
He was dismissed for 15 in his first outing against Bangladesh but bounced back with 56 against Pakistan, 79 in the group-stage win over New Zealand and 45 against Australia in the semis.
Iyer had cemented his place in the ODI team with scores of 59, 44 and 78 in February's series against England and he has a wonderful 50-over record against New Zealand.
In eight ODI innings against the Black Caps, he has made 103, 52, 62, 80, 49, 33, 105 and 79 and another significant contribution is expected on Sunday.
SHREYAS IYER TO SCORE OVER 28.5 RUNS
