The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has reached its business end, with India and New Zealand set to square off in the summit clash on March 9 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India are on an unbeaten streak in the eight-team competition so far. After beating Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand in the group-stage, the Men in Blue outplayed Australia in the semi-final to make their third successive appearance in the Champions Trophy final.
On the other hand, the Kiwis were dominant in all the games they played in Pakistan and gave India a tough fight in the Group A match last Sunday (March 2).
Ahead of the tournament final, India vice-captain Shubman Gill acknowledged that there is “big match pressure” but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to handle it and claim the coveted title.
"The big-match pressure is always there. The last time (2023) we couldn't do it, but we will try to do it this time. In a big match, the team that takes the pressure out of the equation has a better chance of winning," Gill said in the pre-match presser.
"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 knockouts and used to take out pressure from the big-match equation. Easier said than done, but good teams play their best cricket under pressure," he added.
Team India have been accused of enjoying an unfair ‘Dubai’ advantage in the ongoing Champions Trophy, but Gill downplayed such claims.
"We have played four matches here and done really well. But I think the last time we played NZ, despite losing three wickets early, we played a good match and won comfortably. So I don't think there is any added discussion. Obviously, someone in the top 3-5 firing would give us a better chance to chase a big total or put up a big total."
Gill also noted the nature of the Dubai pitch, saying it will influence strategy. "The kind of wicket we will play on would be the discussion. We have not seen a 300-plus total here. The wickets we are playing on are quite different from the ones in Pakistan," he explained.
India ended a long-standing ICC trophy jinx by clinching the 2024 T20 World Cup, and Gill believes that triumph has given the team momentum and mental clarity.
"Once you get one title, it gives you momentum. You are not very desperate about getting the title. It's not good when desperation kicks in."
However, the deputy highlighted India’s hunger to win more ICC trophies. "Winning the title in 2024 doesn't mean 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," he said.
