As India and New Zealand face off in the final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, cricket fans around the world are in for a thrilling conclusion to one of the sport’s most exciting tournaments. Both teams have displayed exceptional form in the lead-up to this final, and their head-to-head record in previous Champions Trophy encounters adds an extra layer of intensity to today’s clash.

This article takes a look back at the history of India vs New Zealand in the Champions Trophy, breaking down past encounters, what to expect in the final, and the key players who could determine the outcome.

India vs New Zealand in Past Champions Trophy Encounters:

India and New Zealand have met a number of times in the ICC Champions Trophy since the tournament’s inception in 1998. While New Zealand has often been the underdog in these matchups, they have proved to be formidable opponents, especially in knockout stages. Let’s break down their history in the tournament.

1. 2000 Champions Trophy (Nairobi, Kenya):
   • Result: India won by 4 wickets
   • The first meeting in the Champions Trophy between India and New Zealand came in the 2000 edition, and it was an exciting encounter. India chased down New Zealand’s modest total of 246 in a thrilling finish. India’s win set the tone for future encounters, and this victory helped India advance in the tournament.
2. 2009 Champions Trophy (South Africa):
   • Result: New Zealand won by 3 wickets
   • In the 2009 edition, New Zealand managed to pull off a surprise victory over India in a rain-affected match. New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori and Ross Taylor played key roles, securing a memorable win and knocking India out of contention for the title. This encounter highlighted New Zealand’s resilience in pressure situations, even against a strong Indian side.
3. 2017 Champions Trophy (England and Wales):
   • Result: India won by 8 wickets
   • One of the most decisive victories for India came in 2017, when they comfortably defeated New Zealand by 8 wickets in the group stage. India restricted New Zealand to a low total of 189. With an all-around performance from the bowlers and batsmen, India chased down the target easily, showcasing their dominance in the tournament. This victory was part of India’s journey to the final, where they were ultimately defeated by Pakistan.
4. 2019 ICC World Cup:
   • While not part of the Champions Trophy, the 2019 World Cup semi-final between these two teams remains one of the most iconic matches. New Zealand won a tense, rain-affected semi-final by 18 runs, knocking India out of the tournament. This match added fuel to the rivalry, with New Zealand’s skillful bowling and calm batting under pressure proving to be a turning point in the World Cup.

What to Expect in the 2025 Final:

• India’s Strength: India enters this final with a balanced and dynamic squad. Their batting has been in superb form, with top-order players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill leading the charge. India also boasts an incredible bowling attack, with pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami providing key breakthroughs at crucial moments. Their recent form in the tournament has shown consistency and depth, making them the favorites going into the final. India will look to play their attacking brand of cricket, focusing on their explosive batting to set big totals or chase down challenging ones. Their fielding, led by dynamic players like Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya, will also be a key factor in containing New Zealand’s run rate.
• New Zealand’s Challenge: New Zealand, on the other hand, has been the dark horse in this tournament. Their calm and composed approach, especially in knockout games, has allowed them to thrive under pressure. Kane Williamson has been a master of anchor roles, and his leadership will be crucial in navigating the pressure of a final. Devon Conway and Martin Guptill bring solid experience in the opening positions, while the fast-bowling attack led by Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson has been outstanding in the tournament. New Zealand’s strength lies in their ability to adapt quickly to any situation. They will aim to restrict India’s big hitters through accurate bowling and capitalize on any opportunity to build pressure, much like they did in the 2019 World Cup semi-final. With no major pressure on their backs, New Zealand will play the underdog card, making them unpredictable and dangerous.
• Key Battle – Batting vs Bowling: The contest between India’s potent batting line-up and New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack is expected to be the most exciting aspect of the final. If India’s top order clicks, New Zealand will face an uphill task in limiting their runs. On the flip side, if New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly Boult, can get early breakthroughs, they could rattle India’s middle order. Both teams have explosive all-rounders in Hardik Pandya (India) and Jimmy Neesham (New Zealand), who can change the course of a match in just a few overs. Their role with both bat and ball could be pivotal in deciding who lifts the trophy.

Memorable Moments and What’s at Stake:

• India’s Quest for a Historic 3rd Title: India is looking for their third Champions Trophy title after winning in 2002 and 2013. A victory in this final would cement their status as one of the most dominant teams in modern cricket. The Indian team has always been a force to reckon with in ICC tournaments, and this final gives them a chance to further enhance their legacy.
• New Zealand’s First Major ICC Title: For New Zealand, this final offers a chance to claim their first-ever ICC Champions Trophy. The Kiwis have been consistent performers in global tournaments but have often fallen short in finals. Winning the Champions Trophy would be a crowning achievement in their cricketing history, rewarding their resilience and commitment.

Conclusion:

With both teams being in excellent form, the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand promises to be an epic contest. The clash of India’s explosive batting against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling will be a defining factor in the match, and the outcome could go either way.

While India will head into the final as the favorites, New Zealand’s ability to perform under pressure and their never-say-die attitude makes them a formidable opponent. Fans can expect a thrilling contest with high stakes, and as always, cricket lovers around the world are in for an unforgettable match.

Who will lift the coveted Champions Trophy? Only time will tell, but this match will surely go down as one of the most exciting encounters in the history of the tournament.