Santner eyes tactical edge in toss ahead of Ind vs NZ Champions Trophy final

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has admitted that the toss could play a crucial role in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against India, scheduled for March 9 in Dubai.

After securing a dominant 50-run victory over South Africa in the semi-final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday, the Kiwis will now turn their attention to India, a side that defeated them in the group stage by 44 runs.

Reflecting on that loss, Santner emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes and seizing every possible advantage in the final.

“We’ve already faced them once in Dubai, and both teams now have a fair idea of each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Santner said at the post-match presentation.

“The boys bowled brilliantly last time, but winning the toss might be nice as well.”

In their earlier encounter, India’s spinners—led by Varun Chakravarthy’s maiden five-wicket haul—proved too much for the Black Caps, who were bundled out for 205 while chasing 250.

New Zealand, however, will take confidence from their record in ICC finals against India, having won both previous encounters—the ICC Champions Trophy 2000 and the World Test Championship 2021. With conditions in Dubai set to play a decisive role, Santner’s men will be keen to get their strategies right and clinch the coveted trophy.