Champions Trophy: India Set Ablaze in All Dimensions Before Title Showdown Against NZ (SWOT Analysis)
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Synopsis
As the Indian team gears up for the title clash against New Zealand in the 2025 Champions Trophy, a SWOT analysis highlights their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Led by Rohit Sharma, the squad is on a quest to claim the trophy for the first time since 2013.
Key Takeaways
- Strength: Strong batting lineup led by key players.
- Weakness: Past challenges against New Zealand in ICC knockouts.
- Opportunity: Chance to win an ICC title after 2013.
- Threat: New Zealand's spinners could exploit conditions.
- Key Player: Matt Henry's impact on the match.
New Delhi, March 7 (NationPress) Even after facing four consecutive toss losses during their 2025 Champions Trophy journey, the Indian squad has shown remarkable resilience in their pursuit of clinching the title for the first time since 2013. The Dubai International Stadium has effectively become their home ground, where they have recorded one win while defending and three victories chasing totals.
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the team has excelled in all facets of the game, positioning themselves for the crucial title match against New Zealand this Sunday in Dubai.
Here’s a SWOT analysis from IANS regarding the Indian team as they prepare for the pivotal final against New Zealand.
Strength: India has been impressive with the bat. Although Rohit Sharma has yet to produce a significant score, he has exhibited moments of his aggressive style. Shubman Gill is in excellent form, and Virat Kohli has been in exceptional touch, highlighted by his unbeaten century against Pakistan and an 84 in the semi-final against Australia.
Shreyas Iyer has adapted well to the slow and low pitches of Dubai, making him one of the top middle-order batsmen in the tournament. Additionally, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya have contributed significantly, ensuring that India concludes their batting innings on a high note. Moreover, their bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami and Varun Chakaravarthy, have also been performing admirably.
Weakness: Although India triumphed over New Zealand by 44 runs in their Group A match in Dubai, they are well aware of the challenges posed by the Blackcaps, who have bested them in past ICC knockout matches – the 2021 World Test Championship Final, the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final, and the 2000 Champions Trophy Final.
Furthermore, having faced India previously in Dubai, New Zealand will arrive better prepared to outshine Rohit & Co in the title showdown. Apart from captain Mitchell Santner, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra have also been in great form, which means that if they perform well, India could be in for a tough challenge.
Opportunity: The last time India secured the Champions Trophy was in 2013 in England, and since then, they have missed out on silverware in 50-over ICC tournaments. A victory in Dubai would provide Rohit with another ICC title as captain after clinching the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies last year.
A win would also mark a significant achievement for Gautam Gambhir in his coaching career, which has yet to feature a major victory. Additionally, it would indicate that the Indian team is on the right track in their preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Threat: If the 2025 Champions Trophy final occurs on a pitch previously used in India's matches, it could favor New Zealand's spinners, including Santner, Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra, complicating matters for Indian batsmen.
If Matt Henry is fit to play, he could pose a significant threat to India, as demonstrated during the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final and the 5-42 he achieved in the Group A match. His ability to extract seam movement on a slow Dubai pitch makes him a key player standing between India and the trophy.
