India, New Zealand out to seek elusive ODI glory today

BENGALURU, March 08 (Agencies): India are heavy favourites to claim a record third Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday but Rohit Sharma's men face a New Zealand side with plenty of firepower in the first major white-ball final between the teams in a quarter of a century.

India, who refused to play in host nation Pakistan, have produced clinical performances to win all four of their matches in the United Arab Emirates, including a 44-run group-stage victory over the Black Caps last weekend.

The 2002 and 2013 champions have excelled on pitches offering turn, while the batting group led by Virat Kohli has excelled under pressure with masterful run-chases in victories over Bangladesh, Pakistan and Australia.

India are on the verge of winning back-to-back International Cricket Council trophies following last year's Twenty20 World Cup triumph but coach Gautam Gambhir is focused only on Sunday.

"We still have one more game to go," he told reporters.

"We know we're a good one-day side. The most important thing is the way we've played throughout this competition.

"The hunger, the commitment and the eagerness to try and do something special for the country is always there."

With Mohammed Shami filling in superbly for injured pacer Jasprit Bumrah, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya offering valuable batting depth, Rohit was delighted with the form of key players going into the title decider.

"When you want to play in the final, you want all your guys to be in form," he said.

"All of these guys have made an impact whenever they've got an opportunity and that gives us a lot of confidence."

Despite their flawless displays in Dubai, India will not take anything for granted against New Zealand, who beat them by four wickets in the final of the 2000 event when it was named the ICC KnockOut Trophy.

New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson said his side have every chance of derailing India in a major final once again.

"Obviously it was a long time ago and a great victory for our country," said Williamson, whose side also stunned India in the World Test Championship title clash four years ago.

"Here, now, lots of things are different ... we'll be changing our focus quickly to this next match, which is an exciting opportunity for us."

While India will be more comfortable with the venue having played all their games in Dubai, Williamson said anything can happen in a final.

"It was a great atmosphere in the last game and I'm sure it'll be a good one again," he added.

New Zealand head into the match having thumped South Africa in the semi-final after registering the highest Champions Trophy total of 362-6, with Rachin Ravindra and Williamson in fine fettle after scoring centuries.

Their capable spin unit comprising captain Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips and Ravindra can cause plenty of problems for India, who will aim to move ahead of Australia in the Champions

Trophy winners list. Australia won the event in 2006 and 2009. New Zealand will hope to have Matt Henry fully fit after the pace bowler injured his shoulder against South Africa. "Obviously the surface will dictate a bit of how we want to operate,"

said Santner, whose side were undone by India's four-pronged spin attack last time around.

"It might be a little bit slower than what we're going to get in Lahore. So it might be more of a scrap.

"But we're down to scrap."

India's Shubman Gill on Saturday said the team will look to win the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand to get over their 2023 ODI World Cup title defeat.

"I am quite excited," vice-captain Gill told reporters. "My second ICC event for team India and second final. The last time which we couldn't do, we will try to do it this time."

India went down to Australia in the 50-over World Cup final in November 2023 on home soil in Ahmedabad in a heartbreaking defeat for the team, which had come into the title clash unbeaten.

However, Rohit Sharma's team eased the heartache of fans a few months later when they lifted the 2024 T20 World Cup title -- India's first victory in a major global event since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Gill, who was not part of the T20 triumph, said the ICC title in Barbados allows the team to go into Sunday's final without any baggage.

"It's also about once you get one title that kind of breaks the jinx and then it gives you the momentum and also you are not desperate about getting the title," said Gill.

"Winning the title in 2024 doesn't mean that we are less hungry, but it kind of gives us more balance that we have won an ICC title and we will try to do our best to win this one."

India come into the title clash unbeaten in four matches after they went past Australia in the semi-final to eye a third Champions Trophy crown.

India have played all their matches in Dubai after they refused to tour hosts Pakistan due to political tensions.

Gill said the importance of a final does come into the equation when they walk out but a champion team knows how to handle pressure.

"The big-match pressure is always there," said Gill.

"This is the reason why we talk about big teams of previous years, including West Indies and Australia. Those teams played their best cricket in knock-outs. Easier said than done, but good teams play their best cricket under pressure."

Virat Kohli has been in top form as he hit an unbeaten 100 against arch-rivals Pakistan in a group game and hit 84 in another successful chase in the semi-final.

Rohit has been slammed for not converting his starts into bigger scores, but his quick cameos have nonetheless allowed the team to build totals.