India Must Watch Out for Santner, Rachin & Conway in Final: Rayudu
The stage is set for the final showdown of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with India and New Zealand all set to clash in Dubai on Sunday. As the Indian team prepares to take on the Kiwis, a former Indian cricketer has sounded a warning about three New Zealand players who could pose a significant threat to the Indian team’s chances of lifting the coveted trophy.
Ambati Rayudu, a 39-year-old former Indian cricketer, has identified Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway as the three players that India must watch out for in the final. Rayudu, who has been a part of the Indian team in the past, knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed in international cricket, and his words carry weight.
According to Rayudu, Santner’s spin in the middle overs could be a game-changer. “Santner is a very underrated spinner,” Rayudu said in an interview. “He’s got a lot of guile and can turn the ball a lot. He’s not someone who will bowl a lot of dot balls, but he’s got the ability to pick up wickets and dry up the runs in the middle overs.”
Rayudu’s warning about Santner is not unfounded. The left-arm spinner has been in excellent form in the Champions Trophy, picking up seven wickets in four matches, including two wickets in the semi-final against England. His ability to spin the ball both ways and his patience in the middle overs make him a difficult proposition for any batsman.
The second player that Rayudu warned about is Rachin Ravindra, who has been opening the batting for New Zealand in the Champions Trophy. “Ravindra is a very good player,” Rayudu said. “He’s got a good temperament and can bat well at the top of the order. He’s not someone who will play reckless shots, but he’s got the ability to rotate the strike and build a partnership.”
Ravindra has indeed been impressive in the Champions Trophy, scoring 147 runs in three innings at an average of 49. He has also been involved in two significant partnerships, including a 61-run stand with Devon Conway in the semi-final against England.
The third player that Rayudu warned about is Devon Conway, who has been in scintillating form in the Champions Trophy. “Conway is a potential dark horse,” Rayudu said. “He’s got a lot of talent and has been playing well for a while now. He’s got the ability to play both spin and pace well, and he’s got a good temperament to boot.”
Conway has indeed been in excellent form in the Champions Trophy, scoring 222 runs in four innings at an average of 55.50. He has also been involved in two significant partnerships, including the 61-run stand with Ravindra in the semi-final against England.
While Rayudu’s warnings about Santner, Ravindra, and Conway are not unfounded, it’s worth noting that the Indian team has been in excellent form in the Champions Trophy. Led by Rohit Sharma, the team has won three matches in a row, including a thrilling semi-final against Pakistan.
The Indian team will be buoyed by the fact that they have a strong batting line-up, with Rohit, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul all in good form. The team also has a potent bowling attack, with Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Harshal Patel all capable of taking wickets on any given day.
However, Rayudu’s warnings about Santner, Ravindra, and Conway are a reminder that the final will be a tough contest, and that the Indian team will need to be at their best to emerge victorious. As the team prepares to take on the Kiwis, they would do well to heed Rayudu’s warnings and come up with a plan to counter the threat posed by these three players.
