DUBAI, March 7, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - India play New Zealand in the Champions
Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday in what could be a last hurrah for veteran
stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

The 36-year-old Kohli and skipper Rohit, 37, came into the 50-over tournament
with speculation over when they will retire following lean patches in Test
cricket.

Mainstays of a formidable India side for more than 15 years, the duo retired
from T20 internationals after winning the World Cup last year.

This weekend could be the end for them in ODIs, with the next 50-over World
Cup not until 2027.

"I am sure Rohit will lead India to a title. He will have another ICC trophy
soon," former seam bowler Praveen Kumar told The Times of India.

"I will only say that Virat and Rohit, give us one more ICC trophy before you
retire," he added.

India go into the final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium as favourites
and with their confidence sky-high.

They have won all four of their matches at the eight-nation tournament,
including beating New Zealand by 44 runs in the group phase, although both
teams had already reached the semi-finals by then.

Rohit's side have played all their games in Dubai after refusing to visit
Champions Trophy hosts Pakistan because of political tensions.

Rohit and Kohli came into the competition under pressure.

Master batsman Kohli silenced his critics with an unbeaten 100 against arch-
rivals Pakistan, then hit a match-winning 84 against world champions
Australia in the semi-finals.

Rohit's highest score has been 41 in their opening win over Bangladesh but
the opener has been lauded for handing the team quick starts to build on a
total at a venue where batting is tough.

India, who are looking to win the Champions Trophy for a record third time,
also boast a world-class spin attack.

They unleashed four spinners in beating New Zealand with Varun Chakravarthy
returning figures of 5-42 to help bowl out the Black Caps for 205 in their
chase of 250.

India were unchanged against Australia as the spin-heavy selection came up
trumps again, albeit on a Dubai pitch that turned a little less that time
around.

- Quiet confidence -

In front of them lies a New Zealand team hoping to win the tournament for the
second time, having done so in 2000 in what was the second edition of a
competition likened to a mini World Cup.

The Black Caps powered into the final by beating South Africa by 50 runs in
Lahore.

Batsman Rachin Ravindra hammered 108 in New Zealand's Champions Trophy record
total of 362 at the batting-friendly Gaddafi Stadium and put together 164
runs with veteran batsman Kane Williamson, who hit 102.

The left-handed Ravindra, who also bowls left-arm spin, has amassed 226 from
three matches after he returned from a nasty hit to his forehead in a tri-
series match in Pakistan.

The Wellington-born Ravindra is of Indian origin with his parents hailing
from Bengaluru.

"We don't quite know how the Dubai pitch is like," said Ravindra.

"We know our game against India did turn and Aussie v India didn't turn so
much, so I think we pride ourselves in adapting and playing the situation in
front of us, so will see what happens in the next couple of days and hope
it's a good cricket wicket."

New Zealand have exuded a quiet confidence leading into the final and
Williamson said losing to India earlier in the tournament could actually help
them.

"India are an outstanding team and playing really well," he said.

"So look, it's important we try and take away some learnings from that last
game... in a final anything can happen."

India might be favourites and will have much of the crowd at the 25,000-
capacity Dubai stadium roaring them on, but recent history is actually with
New Zealand.

They registered a surprise 3-0 Test whitewash in India in October and
November last year.

The Black Caps also hold a clear advantage over India with nine wins, six
losses and one no-result at global white-ball tournaments.