The final group-stage match of the Champions Trophy in Dubai will see India and New Zealand facing off. While both teams have already secured their place in the semi-finals, this match will determine which team tops Group A. If India wins, they will finish as the table-toppers, while a New Zealand victory will place them at the top. With such high stakes, the match is expected to be thrilling.
Additionally, if Virat Kohli takes the field today, it will mark his 300th ODI match, adding another significant milestone to his career.
Dubai Pitch Report
So far, no team has managed to score 250 runs in the two matches played in Dubai. Bangladesh set a target of 229 against India, and Pakistan posted 242, but on both occasions, India comfortably won by six wickets. These statistics indicate that the Dubai pitch is slow and favors spin bowling.
On the other hand, New Zealand has been playing on flat pitches in Pakistan, where they have participated in two matches of this tournament and three matches in the prior tri-series. Adapting to the slower conditions in Dubai might pose challenges for them. However, New Zealand has a strong spin trio in Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips, who can utilize these conditions effectively. Moreover, this is the same team that created history by defeating India 3-0 in a Test series on Indian pitches a few months ago.
Will India Rest Key Players?
When asked in the pre-match press conference whether India would rest any key players since they have already qualified for the semi-finals, KL Rahul confirmed that there are no plans for any changes in the playing XI.
Probable Playing XI
India’s Probable XI:
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Axar Patel
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Mohammed Shami
- Harshit Rana
- Kuldeep Yadav
New Zealand’s Probable XI:
- Will Young
- Devon Conway
- Kane Williamson
- Rachin Ravindra
- Tom Latham
- Glenn Phillips
- Michael Bracewell
- Mitchell Santner (Captain)
- Kyle Jamieson / Daryl Mitchell
- Matt Henry
- William O’Rourke
While New Zealand is unlikely to make changes, they might consider including Daryl Mitchell, who has scored two consecutive centuries against India in previous ICC ODI events. However, fitting him into the playing XI remains a challenge.
Dubai Weather Forecast
The weather in Dubai is expected to be clear with no chances of rain on March 2, according to AccuWeather. The maximum temperature is likely to be around 24°C, while the minimum could drop to 21°C.
Match Prediction – Who Has the Edge?
This match is expected to be a closely fought contest as both teams remain unbeaten in the group stage. While both sides have already reached the semi-finals, they will be eager to finish at the top of the table, ensuring they give their best effort.
Looking at the current performances of both teams, one factor that gives India a slight advantage is their experience of playing in Dubai. New Zealand will be playing in Dubai for the first time in this tournament, whereas India has already played two matches here and is well aware of the conditions.
Considering this, India has a 60% chance of winning, while New Zealand’s chances stand at 40%. However, given New Zealand’s quality, the match is expected to be a thrilling contest.
