IND vs NZ: Shoaib Malik and Shoaib Akhtar Offer Winning Secrets to New Zealand Ahead of Champions Trophy Final

New Delhi: Despite facing significant challenges heading into the final, New Zealand may not be mere pushovers. The odds heavily favor India with the conditions, squad strength, and home support, but under Mitchell Santner's leadership, the Kiwis have shown they are capable of challenging the dominance of the Indian team. While India may be the strongest team on paper and in form, they are not guaranteed to lift the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday. It is certain that New Zealand will put up a strong fight, and the final is far from being just a formality. It will be a thrilling match as both teams battle it out for the prestigious title.

New Zealand has been one of the most reliable teams across formats over the past decade, but they have not clinched an ICC white-ball title since their Champions Trophy victory in 2000. And who did they defeat in that final? India! As the two sides gear up for a rematch of that Champions Trophy final 25 years later, former Pakistan cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Shoaib Malik weigh in on how the Kiwis could upset the dominant Indian team.

Akhtar advised New Zealand to stop viewing themselves as the underdogs heading into the final. “Ye bhul jana chaie ki India samne hai, ye bhul jana chahie ki aap lesser team hai. (It should be forgotten that you are up against India, you should forget that you are the underdogs). You should forget that you are not good. Santner has that belief. I have seen it in him. As a captain, he wants to win the title.,” Akhtar said on ‘Game on Hai’.

The Rawalpindi Express mentioned that one of New Zealand’s key tasks in Sunday’s final would be to neutralize India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, during the powerplay. Akhtar pointed out that Rohit would likely look to dominate the New Zealand bowlers early on, making Santner’s leadership crucial to their strategy.

“You have to do the right thing at the right time. You have to break the onslaught. Rohit Sharma will on the attack. He will try to neutralise your spinners. He will attack Santner. At that point, he has to handle his team as a leader. If you ask me about odds I would say 70-30 to India. When it comes to batting, their spinners, and their maturity, but if New Zealand can bring their A-game on that day (they can win),” he added.

Shoaib Malik says follow Steve Smith:
Ex-Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik suggested that New Zealand’s batters should look to emulate Australia’s Steve Smith. Smith played a composed knock of 73 in the semifinal against India, effectively countering the spinners.

“What separates Indian batters is their ability to rotate the strike. That plays a huge role in taking them to a good total and even while chasing a good score. The innings that Smith played is a good example to negate the Indian spinners. He made use of then extra fielder in the circle, came down the track, tried to find the gaps. Thirdly, whoever gets into 20s-30s should try and get to 80s, 90s or 100,” he said.