New Zealand beat India 3-0 in a test series in its own backyard, a feat never registered before. India went on to lose in Australia. Both series defeats cost India a spot in the World Test Championship final. It has only gained little redemption in reaching the Champions Trophy final here.

Ahead of Sunday’s final, we look at what India must do to stop Mitchell Santner from joining Stephen Fleming and Kane Williamson

India will play New Zealand in the final of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on March 9. For New Zealand, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner have been pivotal in New Zealand’s journey to the Champions Trophy 2025 final.

Kane Williamson stressed New Zealand must take lessons from their group-stage defeat by India when they meet again in the Champions Trophy final on Sunday.

Kane Williamson became the highest scoring New Zealand batter in Champions Trophy history during his side’s semifinal clash against South Africa in Lahore on Wednesday.

New Zealand booked their place in the final of the Champions Trophy against India after sparkling hundreds by Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson helped them earn a 50-run victory over South Africa in the second semi-final on Wednesday.

Williamson has overall raced to 1,228 runs across 30 ODIs against India at an average of 45.48. His strike rate of 75.56 is on the lower side. He is only behind Sachin Tendulkar (1,750), Virat Kohli (1,656), and Taylor (1,385) in terms of batters with the most runs in IND-NZ ODIs.

Ravi Shastri feels Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra can play a crucial role in the Champions Trophy 2025 final but picks Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Glenn Phillips as contenders for 'Player of the match'.