ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Five Players to watch out for in India vs New Zealand clash

The group stages of the Champions Trophy are almost done, with things already settled in Group A. Pakistan and Bangladesh have been eliminated, while India and New Zealand have qualified for the semi-finals. The two semi-finalists though will meet each other in a group game on Sunday in Dubai. 

Both India and New Zealand have been mighty impressive so far in the Champions Trophy, winning both their games in the group phase. Their unbeaten streaks will be put to the test when they face each other now on Sunday. Here’s a look at 5 players to watch out for in the India vs New Zealand clash. 

1. Virat Kohli

There were questions over Virat Kohli’s form heading into the ICC Champions Trophy, as he had an under-par showing against England at home. Virat Kohli had a paltry score against Bangladesh as well but found his feet once again against the arch-rivals Pakistan. Kohli pretty much played a flawless knock against Pakistan, hitting along the ground and cantering his way to a hundred despite battling a shrinking target. Virat Kohli would hope to keep that form going now against New Zealand. 

2. Axar Patel

Axar Patel has pretty much stayed under the radar but has consistently delivered for India over the past few months. Patel picked two wickets against Bangladesh and was on a hat-trick at one stage. He picked the crucial wicket of Mohammad Rizwan in the game against Pakistan too. Axar Patel has also been given a position up the order since Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach, and will be one to watch out now with both bat and ball. 

3. Shreyas Iyer

A month back, Shreyas Iyer revealed that he was picked for the first ODI against England at the last moment only because of an injury to Virat Kohli. However, since then the Mumbai batter hasn’t put a foot wrong in ODI cricket. He got two fifties against England and notched up a half-century against Pakistan as well in the previous game. Iyer is a solid player against spin and can control the tempo in the middle overs with his diligent cricket. He will be well suited on the slowish pitches of UAE to score big once again. 

4. Mitchell Santner

The New Zealand skipper has remarkable consistency with his lines and lengths. He somehow manages to keep things economical and be amongst the wickets even on the most placid of decks. Santner picked three wickets against Pakistan in the Champions League opener, and two in the warm-up game earlier against Afghanistan. Santner would be most effective on the sluggish tracks of UAE and also has a good record against India in ICC tournaments. 

5. Rachin Ravindra

Still only 25, Rachin Ravindra is considered a prodigious talent for New Zealand. He lit up the 2023 ODI World Cup, scoring three centuries and ending as the leading run scorer for his side. Rachin Ravindra missed out on the opening game of the Champions Trophy due to a head injury but made a stellar comeback against Bangladesh. He came out to bat in a tricky position and scored a solid century on his Champions Trophy debut. Ravindra has had a stellar record in ICC tournaments for New Zealand and will hope to keep that going come Sunday against India.