India Must Watch Out for Santner, Rachin & Conway in Final: Rayudu
The highly anticipated final of the Champions Trophy 2025 is just around the corner, with India set to face off against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. Ahead of the big match, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has warned the Indian team about three players from the Kiwi camp who could pose a significant threat to their chances of lifting the trophy.
In a recent interview, Rayudu highlighted the importance of keeping an eye on Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway, who he believes have the potential to make a significant impact on the game.
Santner, the New Zealand spinner, has been in excellent form recently, taking 10 wickets in the last two matches against Pakistan and England. Rayudu believes that Santner’s spin in the middle overs is a major concern for the Indian team.
“Santner is a very good bowler, especially in the middle overs. He can dry up the runs and put pressure on the batsmen. India needs to be prepared to face him,” Rayudu said.
Ravindra, who has been opening the innings for New Zealand, has been a revelation with the bat. He has scored two half-centuries in the last two matches and has been looking in good touch. Rayudu believes that Ravindra’s ability to play aggressively at the top of the order could cause problems for the Indian bowling attack.
“Ravindra is a talented player and has been playing well. He’s been aggressive at the top of the order, and India needs to be prepared to face him. He can take the game away from them if he gets going,” Rayudu said.
Conway, who has been one of the most consistent batsmen for New Zealand, is often overlooked, but Rayudu believes that he is a potential “dark horse” in the final.
“Conway is a very good player, and I think he’s a dark horse. He’s been playing well, and he’s got the ability to take the game away from India. India needs to be prepared to face him,” Rayudu said.
Rayudu’s words of caution come at a time when the Indian team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing semi-final loss to England. The team has been working hard in the nets, and the players are eager to make a strong comeback.
The Indian team has been dealing with a few injuries, with skipper Rohit Sharma and star all-rounder Hardik Pandya ruled out of the tournament. However, the team has shown remarkable resilience and has been able to adapt to the conditions well.
The New Zealand team, on the other hand, has been in excellent form, winning all their matches in the tournament so far. They have a strong bowling attack, led by Trent Boult and Tim Southee, and a solid batting lineup, with Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls being the mainstays.
The Champions Trophy 2025 final is shaping up to be an exciting contest, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. The Indian team will need to be at their best to overcome the Kiwi challenge, and Rayudu’s words of caution are a timely reminder of the threats that they pose.
In conclusion, the Champions Trophy 2025 final is just around the corner, and it promises to be an exciting contest. India will need to be prepared to face the threats posed by Santner, Ravindra, and Conway, and Rayudu’s words of caution are a timely reminder of the importance of doing so.
