Champions Trophy 2025 Final: India vs New Zealand – What Happens If Rain Plays Spoilsport?
The grand finale of the Champions Trophy 2025, the ninth edition of the prestigious ODI tournament, is set to take place on Sunday, March 9. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium will host the highly anticipated clash between India and New Zealand, two teams that have fought their way through intense competition to reach this stage.
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A Rematch from the Group Stage
This will not be the first time that India and New Zealand face off in the tournament. The two teams already met earlier in the group stage, where India clinched victory by 44 runs. That match saw the Men in Blue dominate with both bat and ball, cementing their position as one of the strongest contenders for the title.
India’s Journey to the Final
India entered the tournament as part of Group A, where they delivered an exceptional performance, finishing as the table toppers without losing a single game.
• First Match: India defeated Bangladesh by six wickets, successfully chasing down the target with ease.
• Second Match: In one of the most anticipated encounters of the tournament, India outclassed Pakistan, winning by six wickets in a thrilling contest.
• Third Match: India took on New Zealand in their final league-stage fixture and emerged victorious by 44 runs, strengthening their claim as tournament favorites.
With an undefeated run in the league stage, India secured their place in the semi-finals, where they faced a tough challenge against Australia. In a high-stakes encounter, India held their nerve and won the match by four wickets, securing a place in the final.
New Zealand’s Path to the Final
New Zealand had a mixed group-stage campaign but still managed to secure the second spot in Group A to qualify for the semi-finals.
• First Match: New Zealand started their campaign strongly with a 60-run win over Pakistan, showcasing their strength in both batting and bowling.
• Second Match: They continued their momentum by defeating Bangladesh by five wickets, ensuring their place in the knockout stage.
• Third Match: The Black Caps faced India in Dubai and suffered their only defeat in the group stage, losing by 44 runs.
Despite this setback, New Zealand bounced back in the semi-finals, where they took on South Africa. The Kiwis put on a dominant display, defeating the Proteas by 50 runs to book their place in the final.
A Final with Historic Significance
The Champions Trophy 2025 final will mark the second time India and New Zealand meet in the final of this tournament. The two teams previously clashed in the 2000 Champions Trophy final, where New Zealand emerged victorious. Now, 25 years later, India will be looking to avenge that defeat, while New Zealand will aim to replicate their past success.
Weather Forecast for the Final
Cricket fans across the world are eagerly awaiting the IND vs NZ Champions Trophy 2025 final, and one major concern heading into the match is the weather. However, according to AccuWeather, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and its surrounding areas are expected to have clear skies on match day.
• Rain Probability: 0%
• Temperature: Expected to reach 31°C
• Conditions: Partly sunny and warm, making for ideal playing conditions
With no forecast of rainfall, the match is likely to proceed smoothly, ensuring that fans get to witness an uninterrupted contest between the two cricketing giants.
What If Rain Interrupts the Final?
Although the weather forecast looks favorable, cricket is an unpredictable sport, and there is always a small possibility of unexpected rain. If rain or any other interruption prevents the completion of the match on March 9, the ICC has a clear contingency plan in place.
• Reserve Day: If the final is not completed on March 9, it will be rescheduled to Monday, March 10.
• Match Continuation: If play starts on March 9 but is interrupted, the game will resume on March 10 from where it left off, rather than being restarted.
• Complete Washout: If the match cannot be completed even on the reserve day due to persistent rain, the trophy will be shared between India and New Zealand.
Historical Precedent: The 2002 Champions Trophy Final
A similar situation occurred in the 2002 Champions Trophy, where India and Sri Lanka were declared joint winners after rain disrupted the final on both the scheduled day and the reserve day.
• Sri Lanka won the toss and batted first on both days.
• On September 29, India could only play two overs before rain stopped play.
• On September 30, India managed to play 8.4 overs before the match was abandoned again.
• With no result possible, India and Sri Lanka shared the trophy.
If rain were to impact the IND vs NZ final in 2025, history might repeat itself, with both teams being crowned joint winners of the Champions Trophy.
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Conclusion: Will the Trophy Be Shared or Will We Have a Winner?
With both India and New Zealand displaying exceptional performances throughout the tournament, the final promises to be an electrifying contest. While the weather forecast is positive, the ICC’s contingency plan ensures that a winner will be decided unless extreme weather conditions persist.
If the match goes as planned, one team will lift the trophy and etch their name in cricket history. However, if rain forces an abandonment across both days, India and New Zealand will share the title, adding another unique chapter to the Champions Trophy legacy.
Cricket fans around the world will be hoping for clear skies and an uninterrupted final, allowing the two best teams of the tournament to battle it out for ultimate glory. Will India end their wait for another ICC trophy, or will New Zealand claim another historic victory? All eyes will be on Dubai on March 9 to find out.
