In a rare and unexpected turn of events, Team India has now lost 15 coin tosses in a row as Mitchell Santner won the toss in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final at the Dubai International Stadium. Mitchell Santner, leading the Black Caps, called correctly under the lights, opting to bat first in a decision that could define the contest.
Rohit’s uncanny inability to win has been one of the most bizarre subplots of the tournament, with the Indian captain defying probability in the wrong way, time and again. However, in the match that mattered most, luck turned against him once again. He has now lost the toss for the 12th straight time, a bizzare record is created not for the game itself, but for one of the rarest toss-losing streaks ever recorded in cricket history.
Team changes: Nathan Smith replaces Matt Henry
New Zealand made a significant change to their XI, with pacer Nathan Smith replacing Matt Henry, who missed out due to fitness concerns. Smith, known for his ability to extract bounce and movement, will add a fresh dynamic to the Kiwi attack. India, meanwhile, named an unchanged lineup, sticking to the combination that had guided them to the summit clash.
Playing XI for the final
New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (capt), Kyle Jamieson, Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke.
India: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy.
High-stakes battle ahead
New Zealand’s batting order remains formidable, with the in-form Rachin Ravindra opening alongside Will Young, followed by the experienced Kane Williamson and power-hitter Daryl Mitchell. The middle order, featuring Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, and Michael Bracewell, provides stability and firepower.
For India, the trio of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli will look to set the platform, while the all-round prowess of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel ensures depth. Mohammed Shami and Varun Chakravarthy, India’s key wicket-takers, will be instrumental in containing New Zealand’s charge.
