In a special edition of The ICC Review ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 final, former India coach Ravi Shastri put on his predictors’ cap ahead of the much-awaited clash.Shastri joined host Sanjana Ganesan and made his selections for everything from the winner of the marquee event between India and New Zealand, to the Aramco Player of the Tournament.Perhaps the biggest surprise was his pick for the Aramco Player of the Match, with Shastri highlighting three names that would be in contention for the prize.
“Player of the Match, I would go for an all-rounder,” he said in The ICC Review. “I'll say Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja from India."“From New Zealand, I think that Glenn Phillips has something up. He might just show flashes of brilliance in the field. He might come and smash a cameo of 40, 50 and probably surprise you by taking a wicket or two,” Shastri said.
The call comes on the back of Phillips' outstanding performance in the semi-final against South Africa, where he smashed a quickfire 49 off just 27 balls to help New Zealand post the highest-ever total in Champions Trophy history.He further showcased his versatility with the ball, picking up two wickets as New Zealand cruised to a comfortable victory to secure their spot in the final.It was the latest in a line of match-turning performances in the tournament from Philips, including in the field where he has grabbed two momentum-shifting gravity-defying catches so far.
Axar and Jadeja have been crucial cogs for India, forming a crucial part of a spin quartet alongside Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy, and also providing the much-needed batting depth to the side.Shastri also predicted Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra to play a crucial role on Sunday if their respective sides were to lift the title.
Williamson and Kohli have been in red-hot form, with a fifty and a hundred each in the four matches they have played. Ravindra too has been in sublime touch, with two tons to his name so far, including a Player of the Match-winning century against South Africa in the semi-final.“Now (on) current form, Kohli. When these guys get hot and you let them get their first 10 runs, then they're trouble. Whether it's Williamson, whether it's Kohli,” Shastri said.
“So from New Zealand, I would say Williamson. To an extent, Rachin Ravindra, he is a fabulous young player," he said.“But these guys when they smell the coffee and you let them, in a final, get to that 10-15, then they're doubly dangerous,” Shastri said.
With the final set to be played in Dubai, a venue that has favoured spinners so far in the tournament, Shastri was asked whether there would be any changes to the playing XI by either side, especially
for New Zealand who lost their group stage encounter against India at the same venue.“I won't be surprised if there might be a change for either side depending on the pitch,” Shastri said."Because the pitch we saw against Australia was the best pitch we've seen in the tournament," he said.
“So the groundsman has another five days since the last game to prepare a surface and if it's a 280-300 surface like the last one was, you might just want to think about it," Shastri said.“But you won't tinker with the side unless necessary,” he said.
The two sides clashed in their last group-stage encounter – a week before Sunday’s final – where New Zealand proved to be India's toughest challenge so far.Pushing the game deep, the Black Caps tested India in both departments, ultimately requiring a brilliant bowling effort from India to secure the crucial two points.“If there's one team that can beat India, it's New Zealand,” Shastri said. “So India start as favourites but only just.”(UNI)
