India must watch out for Santner, Rachin & Conway in final: Rayudu
The Champions Trophy 2025 is just around the corner, and the excitement is palpable. The Indian team has made it to the finals, and they will face off against New Zealand in a thrilling encounter. Ahead of the big match, former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has shared his thoughts on the Kiwis, warning India to “watch out” for three players in particular.
In an interview, Rayudu named Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway as the players who could cause trouble for the Indian team. Santner, a skilled left-arm spinner, has been in excellent form lately, and Rayudu believes he could be a game-changer in the middle overs. “Santner’s spin is very difficult to play, especially in the middle overs. He’s got a lot of variety, and if India doesn’t play him well, he could cause some damage,” Rayudu said.
Ravindra, on the other hand, has been impressive at the top of the order. The young left-hander has shown great composure and skill, and Rayudu thinks he could pose a significant threat to the Indian bowling attack. “Ravindra’s batting is very different from what we’re used to seeing. He’s got a lot of patience, and he’s not afraid to take on the best bowlers. India will need to be careful when they bowl to him,” Rayudu warned.
And then there’s Devon Conway, who Rayudu has labeled a “dark horse”. The Kiwi opener has been in excellent form, scoring a century in the semi-final against Pakistan. Rayudu believes Conway’s ability to play both aggressively and defensively makes him a difficult opponent to face. “Conway’s a real dark horse. He’s got the ability to play both aggressively and defensively, and that makes him very difficult to bowl to. India will need to be at the top of their game to get him out cheaply,” Rayudu said.
Rayudu’s warning comes as a reminder that the Indian team cannot take the New Zealanders lightly. The Kiwis have been in excellent form, and they have a reputation for punching above their weight in big tournaments. The Indian team will need to be well-prepared and focused to overcome the challenges posed by Santner, Ravindra, and Conway.
In recent years, the Indian team has struggled against the Kiwis, particularly in the Champions Trophy. In 2017, India were knocked out of the tournament by New Zealand in the semi-finals, and in 2019, they were defeated by the Kiwis in the final. Rayudu’s warning serves as a reminder that the Indian team needs to be cautious and avoid underestimating their opponents.
The Indian team has been working hard to prepare for the big match, and they will be looking to bounce back from their recent losses. Rayudu believes that the Indian team has the talent and the experience to win the tournament, but they need to be at their best to overcome the challenges posed by the Kiwis.
“India has a very strong team, and they have the talent and the experience to win the tournament. But they need to be at their best to overcome the Kiwis. New Zealand is a very tough team, and they won’t go down without a fight. India needs to be careful and focused to come out on top,” Rayudu said.
The Champions Trophy 2025 final is set to take place on Sunday in Dubai, and it promises to be an exciting encounter. With Santner, Ravindra, and Conway posing a significant threat, the Indian team will need to be at their best to lift the trophy. As Rayudu has warned, the Kiwis are not to be underestimated, and India will need to be careful to come out on top.
