who will play final with india in champions trophy?
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has really been an exciting contest so far. India, assumed as one of the favorites in the tournament, has managed to book a place in the final and the world is waiting to see who they will play in what is predicted to be an epic final. India’s opponents will be decided after the result of the second semi-final currently going on between South Africa and New Zealand. Having pretty impressive records to boast of, it seems that it is going to be a daunting job for any team that qualifies after a very highly contested affair to face a confident and dominant Indian side.
India’s Path to the Final
India’s journey to the final has been truly amazing. The team has been consistent and strong all tournament long. The way India was placed in the tough Group A – with New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa – tested the depth and adaptability of the Indian side across varied conditions but emerged on top from the group. It was their supremely confirmed performance in the league stages that gave an idea of things to follow.
The next match was a high-pressure show between India and New Zealand in the final group game. There were only two ways for India to make it to the semifinals: win. And India did precisely that by winning this game by 44 runs. Man of the Match was Varun Chakaravarthy for his brilliant five-wicket haul which blew apart the New Zealand batting order. That performance led the Indian team with a lot of momentum into the knockout stages. It was also clear that the Indians were peaking at the right time.
The semi-final against Australia was a defining moment in India’s journey to the final. Australia, a team with a rich history in ICC tournaments, was always going to be a tough opponent, and India knew that they had to be at their best to overcome the Aussies. Australia set a target of 265 runs, and while it was a competitive total, India’s batting lineup had the firepower to chase it down.
Virat Kohli showed an outstanding play of 84 runs, thus in charge his side with patience and determination. Kohli’s strength to endure the stress in crucial times is one of his key features, and he was once again at his very best during this chase. The Aussie bowlers performed every possible trick in the book, but Kohli and his partners didn’t let the pace dip and seized the target with 11 balls still remaining. This win sent India into the final and confirmed their position as one of the best teams in the tournament.
The Contenders: South Africa vs. New Zealand
While India has already cemented their place in the final, the outcome of the second semi-final will determine who they face for the coveted Champions Trophy title. South Africa and New Zealand are both exceptional teams, and it’s impossible to predict who will come out on top. However, let’s take a look at both teams and their performances in the tournament so far.
South Africa: A Force to Be Reckoned With
One of the teams to stand out so far in the 2025 Champions Trophy has been South Africa. Typically an aggressive side, they have been a well-balanced and formidable team overall, with a strong batting as well as the bowling department. South Africa has shone in the tournament, spearheaded by their star players Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, and Aiden Markram.
South Africa’s batting depth has been a major asset, with top-order batsmen consistently providing solid starts and the middle order finishing strong. Their bowlers, led by Rabada, have been exceptional in the tournament, with their pace attack causing problems for all opposition. South Africa’s ability to perform under pressure, especially in big tournaments, makes them a strong contender for the title, and they will certainly be a team to watch in the semi-final against New Zealand.
New Zealand: The Silent Contenders
New Zealand has always been a team that can hit weight, although not always a favorite of each ICC event.
Their success in world tournaments such as the 2015 and 2019 World Cricket Cricket talks about their tactical
meaning and adaptability. New Zealand is known for its stability and ability to adapt to a variety of conditions,
and was the team we count at the 2025 Champions Trophy.
New Zealand has a comprehensive team that can defeat enemies per day, along with players like Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Rock Ferguson. Their consistency and ability to operate in high pressure situations are qualities that make them dangerous enemies. If they can carry momentum from the semi-final group phase, New Zealand could advance to the finals and give India a competition for their money.
The Anticipated Final: India’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Whether India faces South Africa or New Zealand in the final, it will be a pre-match favorite. The Indian team is the perfect mixture of youth and experience, with world class players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah providing the team’s backbone. The depth of both Vatin and Bowling’s teams gave them great advantages, and their recent victory over Australia only added their confidence.
However, India has vulnerable regions. Their average strikers are sometimes inconsistent and they need players like Shreya Ayer and Herrik Pandya to intervene in the finals. Furthermore, while the Indian spin station was strong, it would need to allow the pacers led by Bumra and Mohammed Shami to manage the pressure at the final stage of the game.