After twelve long years, a campaign fueled by perseverance, and one final challenge against a team historically known to be India’s nemesis—New Zealand. The stakes have never been higher as Rohit Sharma’s squad prepares to take the field at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, aiming to reclaim the ICC Champions Trophy and etch their names in history.

For years, the Kiwis have been a persistent thorn in India’s side during ICC tournaments, boasting a 10-6 record in global competitions and a more concerning 3-1 lead in knockout clashes. The echoes of painful losses in Manchester (2019) and Southampton (2021) remain vivid. However, this Indian team isn’t fixated on the past; they are here to shatter the trend and forge a new legacy.

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India’s strongest asset in the tournament has been their spin quartet—Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy, who have turned the middle overs into a spectacle, while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel have skillfully restricted the opposition. If the final is played on a similarly slow, gripping pitch as the India-Pakistan match, the Kiwis may find themselves ensnared in a spin dilemma.

That said, New Zealand is well-versed in these conditions. Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra—arguably the most technically adept batsmen against spin in the Kiwi lineup—will carry the hopes of a team seeking its first ICC ODI trophy since 2000. Their own spin attack, featuring Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Ravindra, could pose challenges for India, making this match a test of patience, skill, and adaptability.

Adding historical weight to this encounter, it was 25 years ago that New Zealand triumphed over India in the knockout tournament final in Nairobi. India will be keen to ensure history does not repeat itself, aiming to add another trophy to their collection after last year’s T20 World Cup success, where Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played pivotal roles in an unforgettable campaign that concluded with a spectacular night in Barbados. Now, the path to that crowning glory is drawing closer.

Is this the last hurrah for Rohit and Kohli in ICC tournaments?

Adding intrigue to the narrative is the uncertain future of India’s two iconic figures—Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. This could potentially be their last ICC final together, and they will be eager to depart with their heads held high.

For Rohit, it’s about breaking free from a streak of quick low scores and delivering the kind of innings that defines finals. In contrast, Kohli seems to have found his groove—his last five outings have yielded a century and two fifties, reminiscent of his dominant days when he effortlessly dismantled bowling attacks.

The absence of injured Matt Henry may provide Rohit some respite, as the pacer has consistently troubled him in the past with his knack for finding movement and bounce, even on flat pitches. Nonetheless, Rohit will need to step up and lead from the front.

However, India’s fortunes won’t rely solely on these two legends. Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya will also need to be at their best, replicating their strong performances from the semifinal against Australia. If India can harmonize all these elements, they stand a chance to transform their impressive campaign into a fairy-tale conclusion.

Everything is on the line—history, legacy, and redemption. With a billion hopes resting on their shoulders and the weight of past disappointments, the concluding chapter is about to unfold in Dubai this Sunday.

Squads:

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Jacob Duffy