IND vs NZ: India's star batter Virat Kohli suffered an injury blow during the final practice ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy finale against New Zealand. The final will take place on Sunday (March 9) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the batter got hit near his knee while facing a pacer in the nets, as reported by Geo News.
Indian cricket team physio staff attended the 36-year-old as he stopped training after getting hit near his knee. Physio staff applied spray and wrapped up the injured area with a bandage. Despite getting hit, Kohli stayed on the ground watching other players practice while reassuring the support staff about his condition.
The coach staff later cleared that Kohli's injury just a day before the final is not big and he will be fit to play against New Zealand. Focusing on the final, India have already found New Zealand a tough side to beat specially in ICC tournaments. Head to head stats between the two sides is dominated by New Zealand with a lead of 10-6 over India across all formats in ICC events. If looked further, the Black Caps have 3-1 lead over India in ICC knockout games.
For the past two weeks, some voices in the cricketing world have criticized India, claiming they have an unfair advantage due to their extended stay in Dubai. However, this argument holds little weight since New Zealand has already had a taste of the conditions there. That said, India may still feel more at ease heading into the title clash.
Also Read - India vs New Zealand, Live Streaming: When and where to watch Champions Trophy 2025 final Live match
India is likely to stick with their preferred combination of four spinners and two pacers for the final.
If the championship match is played on the same pitch used for their high-stakes encounter against Pakistan, India's spin attack could prove to be a major challenge for the Kiwis. New Zealand’s spinners had dismantled India in 2024 during a Test series, and they will be eager to replicate that performance as they chase their first ICC ODI title in 25 years.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
