Former India cricketer R Ashwin revealed that he wanted Rohit Sharma, India captain to continue losing the toss ahead of the India v New Zealand final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The summit clash will happen in Dubai on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
Rohit's bad luck began with the 2023 ODI World Cup final, and it has only cost India dearly three times.
As India faces New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final today, there will be a lot of attention on the surface and the weather, making the toss extremely important. Bat first then defend? Or bowl first, then chase?
However, great spinner Ravichandran Ashwin suggests that India should lose the toss and avoid the strain of deciding whether to defend or chase. Ashwin believes that because Rohit's team has successfully protected totals and chased targets, the toss should not be an issue.
“India has both their bases covered. They’ve defended well, and chased successfully. All in all, India will be in a great space. Actually, India shouldn’t win the toss. Let them (New Zealand) decide what they want to. It puts you in a bit of a fix because you’ve already defended once after batting comfortably and then defeated New Zealand by almost 50 runs (44). You are also chasing well batting second,” Ashwin stated on his YouTube channel.
“(Only time) India looked a bit uncomfortable against Bangladesh. I think India were in a bit of a spot against Bangladesh," he added.
India has won all of their tournament matches so far to advance to the final, whereas New Zealand has lost once. This is the second time these two teams have met in a Champions Trophy final, the first coming in 2000, when Chris Cairns produced a brilliant century to propel New Zealand to their first ICC trophy.
The Champions Trophy has been contested in a hybrid format, with India's matches held in Dubai (including a semifinal and final), and the rest in Pakistan. In Dubai, slow wickets make scoring runs difficult, whereas in Pakistan, hitters dominate the roost.
The first semifinal between India and Australia in Dubai took place on a new ground, which appeared to improve as the game continued.
“I would say India will be comfortable doing either (bowling first or chasing). I think the pitch will be a good one. If it’s similar to the Australia match, then 280-290 becomes a possibility," Ashwin said.
