India Must Watch Out for Santner, Rachin & Conway in Final: Rayudu
The stage is set for the Champions Trophy 2025 final, with India all set to take on New Zealand in a mouth-watering encounter on Sunday in Dubai. As the Indian team prepares to face the Kiwis, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has cautioned the team to be wary of three New Zealand players who could cause trouble for them. In an interview, Rayudu identified Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway as the players India should “watch out” for.
Rayudu, who has played 55 ODIs for India, warned that Santner’s spin in the middle overs could be a game-changer. “Santner is a very good bowler, especially in the middle overs. He can be a real threat for India,” Rayudu said. Santner has been in excellent form in recent times, taking 15 wickets in his last 10 ODIs. His ability to contain runs and pick up wickets in the middle overs could be a major concern for the Indian batting line-up.
The other player Rayudu identified was Rachin Ravindra, who has been impressive with his batting at the top of the order. “Ravindra is a very talented player, and he has been playing well for New Zealand. He can be a real handful for India’s top-order bowlers,” Rayudu said. Ravindra has scored 340 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 34, and has been a key player for the Kiwis in the middle order.
Rayudu also tipped Devon Conway as a potential “dark horse” for New Zealand. “Conway is a very underrated player, but he has the ability to change the game with his batting. He can be a real threat for India,” Rayudu said. Conway has been in excellent form in recent times, scoring 550 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 55. Conway’s ability to bat at different positions and his experience of playing in different conditions make him a valuable asset for the Kiwis.
Rayudu’s warning comes at an interesting time, as India has been struggling with their batting in recent times. The team has been relying heavily on the top-order batsmen, and the middle order has been a concern. The presence of Santner, Ravindra, and Conway could make things tougher for the Indian batsmen.
However, India has been in excellent form in the tournament so far, winning all their matches convincingly. The team has been led by the experienced Rohit Sharma, who has been in excellent form with the bat. The team has also been boosted by the return of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has been impressive with his bowling.
New Zealand, on the other hand, has been a team in transition, with several players making their debut in the tournament. The team has been led by Kane Williamson, who has been struggling with his form with the bat. However, the team has been boosted by the performances of players like Santner, Ravindra, and Conway.
The final on Sunday promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams looking to lift the coveted Champions Trophy. While India will be looking to continue their winning streak, New Zealand will be looking to cause an upset and win their first major ICC tournament since the 2000 ICC Cricket World Cup.
In conclusion, Rayudu’s warning is a timely reminder for the Indian team to be aware of the threats posed by Santner, Ravindra, and Conway. The Indian team will need to be at their best to overcome the Kiwis and lift the Champions Trophy. The final on Sunday promises to be an exciting encounter, and cricket fans around the world will be eagerly waiting to see which team emerges victorious.
