Black Caps set awkward target after Indian spinners wreak havoc in final — LIVE

India is chasing a 252-run target for victory in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand after the team’s four spinners wreaked havoc on a slow wicket in Dubai on Sunday.

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The Black Caps posted 7-252 after spinners Varun Chakaravarthy (2-45) and Kuldeep Yadav (2-40) tormented the top order, while fellow tweaker Ravindra Jadeja was faultless during his probing spell of 1-30 from ten overs. Daryl Mitchell anchored New Zealand’s innings with a patient half-century before all-rounder Michael Bracewell cracked a 39-ball fifty at the death to help set India an awkward target.

Meanwhile, the Indians were guilty of four dropped catches during a sloppy fielding performance.

Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to bat first, with cheers erupting in Dubai International Stadium, which was packed with Indian supporters, when the Black Caps captain confirmed that quick Matthew Henry had been ruled out of the final due to a shoulder injury.

New Zealand openers Will Young and Rachin Ravindra combined for a 57-run stand, with seamer Mohammed Shami putting down a return catch and Shreyas Iyer spilling a chance at deep mid-wicket to gift Ravindra two early lives. However, Chakaravarthy broke the partnership with a slider that drifted and trapped Young on the pads for 15.

Yadav flipped the script by knocking over Ravindra and veteran Kane Williamson in quick succession after the Powerplay, leaving New Zealand in a spot of bother at 3-75 in the 13th over. His first delivery of the match was a well-disguised wrong-un that spun past the inside edge and bowled Ravindra for 37, while Williamson lazily chipped a return catch back towards the spinner.

MATCH CENTRE: Champions Trophy final, India vs New Zealand live scorecard

The runs dried up during the middle overs, with New Zealand at one stage going 81 consecutive deliveries without a boundary as India’s tweakers relentlessly attacked the stumps, muffling the Kiwis with perpetual dot balls. Black Caps wicketkeeper Tom Latham was removed LBW after missing a sweep shot against Jadeja, while the Indians continued making errors in the field, with captain Rohit Sharma and opening partner Shubman Gill botching catches before Jadeja missed a run-out opportunity at the non-striker’s end.

Glenn Phillips and Mitchell revived the innings with a 57-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Chakaravarthy’s googly claimed another victim in the 38th over, bowling Phillips through the gate for 34.

Mitchell reached his half-century in 91 deliveries, making it the slowest fifty by New Zealander in men’s ODIs in 11 years, before miscuing a slog towards cover for 63 while chasing quick runs at the death. Bracewell slapped an unbeaten 53 (40) to steer the Black Caps towards a defendable total, with the Black Caps adding 50 runs from the last five overs, while Chakaravarthy damaged his ankle after blocking a straight drive with his foot.

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PREVIEW

India’s Shubman Gill said the team will look to win the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand to get over their 2023 ODI World Cup title defeat.

The final on Sunday in Dubai will decide the winner of the eight-nation tournament played in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

“I am quite excited,” vice-captain Gill told reporters.

“My second ICC event for team India and second final. The last time which we couldn’t do, we will try to do it this time.”

India went down to Australia in the 50-over World Cup final in November 2023 on home soil in Ahmedabad in a heartbreaking defeat for the team, which had come into the title clash unbeaten.

However, Rohit Sharma’s team eased the heartache of fans a few months later when they lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup title – India’s first victory in a major global event since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Gill, who was not part of the T20 triumph, said the ICC title in Barbados allows the team to go into Sunday’s final without any baggage.

“It’s also about once you get one title that kind of breaks the jinx and then it gives you the momentum and also you are not desperate about getting the title,” said Gill.

“Winning the title in 2024 doesn’t mean that we are less hungry, but it kind of gives us more balance that we have won an ICC title and we will try to do our best to win this one.”

India come into the title clash unbeaten in four matches after they went past Australia in the semi-final to eye a third Champions Trophy crown.

India have played all their matches in Dubai after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan due to political tensions.

Gill said the importance of a final does come into the equation when they walk out but a champion team knows how to handle pressure.

“The big-match pressure is always there,” said Gill.

“This is the reason why we talk about big teams of previous years, including West Indies and Australia. Those teams played their best cricket in knock-outs. Easier said than done, but good teams play their best cricket under pressure.”

Virat Kohli has been in top form as he hit an unbeaten 100 against arch-rivals Pakistan in a group game and hit 84 in another successful chase in the semi-final.

Rohit has been slammed for not converting his starts into bigger scores, but his quick cameos have nonetheless allowed the team to build totals.

Gill, who opens with Rohit, said India’s batting depth has allowed the top-order to bat freely.

“I think this is the best batting line-up that I have been part of,” said Gill.

“Rohit, Virat, I think all-time one-day greats. Rohit one of the best openers in white-ball and Virat one of the best ODI batsman ever.”

He added: “The depth in our batting makes the work easier for batsmen at the top and you tend to play freely because of the depth.” Whilst Indian media continue to speculate on Rohit’s retirement, Gill said there has been no talk about it in the dressing room.

“The discussion has been around the final,” said Gill.

“I don’t think even Rohit is thinking about it too much.”