Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has put India as slight favourites for the upcoming Champions Trophy final against New Zealand on Sunday. But he conceded that the edge of superiority is thin, given the strength and tenacity of the Black Caps.
India, having played all their games at the ground, came into the final with a perfect record, topping it with an emphatic victory against Australia in the semifinals. New Zealand, who came second to India in Group A after losing their league match, also made it to the final with a comprehensive win over South Africa in Lahore.
Commenting on The ICC Review, Shastri said, "If there is one team which can defeat India, it's New Zealand. So India are favourites but only just." The much-awaited final will be the 2000 Champions Trophy title showdown, which New Zealand won by four wickets in Nairobi.
Having watched both sides for years, Shastri named four New Zealand players who would be instrumental in the final. He complimented Rachin Ravindra's great talent, termed Kane Williamson as a man of calm and stability, complimented Mitchell Santner's clever captaincy, and named Glenn Phillips as the X-factor for the team.
Shastri also spoke of the impact of Virat Kohli, whose form at present can be a game-changer. He spoke of Williamson's knack of pouncing on big moments, adding, "Now (on) current form, Kohli. When these guys get hot and you let them get their first 10 runs, then they're trouble. Whether it's Williamson, whether it's Kohli."
Ravindra, who is only 25, has already created history by becoming the youngest player to achieve five centuries in ICC 50-over tournaments. Shastri praised his batting skills, saying, "I just like the way he moves in the crease. There's an element of fluency, which is fabulous to see. He's either forward, he's back, he'll cut, he'll sweep it, play the quicks well, and he's got a very good temperament."
He also credited Williamson's captaincy and his stay at the crease, particularly after his brilliant scores of 81 against India and 102 in the semifinal against South Africa. Drawing a parallel with some of the legends, Shastri noted, "He's very stable and there's an element of calmness, a no-nonsense element about him the way he goes about his job. He's like a saint, a sage, just sitting, meditating."
Moreover, Shastri praised Santner's captaincy, saying that his leadership has added a new dimension to his all-round skills. "He's a smart man. And I think this captaincy is well-suited for him," he said.
Pointing out possible match-winners, Shastri pointed to New Zealand's Phillips and India's all-rounders Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja as chief candidates for the Player of the Match award. He added, "I'll say Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja from India. From New Zealand, I think that Glenn Phillips has something up. He might just show flashes of brilliance in the field, play a cameo of 40-50, and probably surprise you by taking a wicket or two."
With both sides having match-winners in departments, the last game is set to be an enthralling affair between two world-class cricketing teams.
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