India Must Watch Out for Santner, Rachin & Conway in Final: Rayudu
As the Indian cricket team prepares to take on New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has warned about the Kiwis’ formidable trio that can pose a significant threat to India’s chances of winning the title. In an exclusive interview, Rayudu identified Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway as the three players India must watch out for in the final.
Santner, the left-arm spinner, has been a vital cog in New Zealand’s middle-order, and Rayudu believes his spin can be a major problem for India. “Santner is a very good bowler, and his spin can be very effective in the middle overs,” Rayudu said. “He has the ability to strangle the run flow, and his variations can be very difficult to pick. India needs to be careful against him.”
Ravindra, the 22-year-old opener, has been making a name for himself in international cricket, and Rayudu sees him as a potential threat at the top of the order. “Ravindra is a very talented player, and he has the ability to play both aggressively and defensively,” Rayudu said. “He can be very damaging if he gets going, and India needs to find a way to contain him.”
Conway, the 32-year-old opener, has been in excellent form for New Zealand, and Rayudu believes he can be a dark horse in the final. “Conway is a very underrated player, and he has the ability to play big innings,” Rayudu said. “He has a strong technique, and he can rotate the strike very well. India needs to be aware of him and not take him lightly.”
Rayudu’s warnings come at a time when India is struggling to find its best combination. The team has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent performances, and it remains to be seen how they will approach the final.
India’s batting woes have been well-documented, and Rayudu believes that the team needs to find a way to counter Santner’s spin. “India’s batting has been a major concern, and Santner’s spin can be a major problem for them,” Rayudu said. “They need to find a way to play him, whether it’s through aggressive batting or defensive batting. They can’t afford to let him strangle the run flow.”
Ravindra’s presence at the top of the order can also be a major challenge for India. Rayudu believes that the team needs to find a way to contain him, and not let him get going. “Ravindra has the ability to play big innings, and India needs to find a way to stop him,” Rayudu said. “They can’t afford to let him dominate the game, and they need to find a way to restrict him.”
Conway’s form has been a major concern for India, and Rayudu believes that the team needs to be aware of him. “Conway has been in excellent form, and India needs to be aware of him,” Rayudu said. “They can’t afford to take him lightly, and they need to find a way to stop him from playing big innings.”
In conclusion, Rayudu’s warnings highlight the importance of India’s preparation for the final. The team needs to find a way to counter Santner’s spin, contain Ravindra’s batting, and stop Conway from playing big innings. With India’s batting woes and New Zealand’s formidable trio, the final promises to be a thrilling contest.
