Title: India must watch out for Santner, Rachin & Conway in final: Rayudu
As the Champions Trophy 2025 final approaches, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has warned India about three New Zealand players who could pose a significant threat to their title aspirations. In an exclusive interview, Rayudu named Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway as the players India should “watch out” for in the highly anticipated match.
The 39-year-old, who has extensive experience playing international cricket, emphasized that Santner’s spin in the middle overs could be a potential game-changer. “Santner is a very tricky bowler, especially in the middle overs. He can really turn the game around with his spin and variations. India needs to be cautious and not let him settle in,” Rayudu said.
Ravindra’s aggressive batting at the top of the order is another concern for India. “Ravindra has been in excellent form lately, and his ability to play aggressively at the top of the order can put pressure on the Indian bowlers. India needs to find ways to contain him and not let him get away,” Rayudu warned.
Conway, according to Rayudu, is a potential “dark horse” who could cause trouble for the Indian team. “Conway is a very underrated player, and his ability to play both formats with ease makes him a genuine threat. India needs to be aware of his presence and not take him lightly,” the former cricketer said.
Rayudu’s comments come as a timely reminder to the Indian team, which has been struggling to find its rhythm in the Champions Trophy. Despite having a talented squad, India has failed to live up to expectations, and the pressure is mounting on the team to deliver a strong performance in the final.
India’s batting, in particular, has been a concern, with the team struggling to find consistency and momentum. Rayudu believes that India’s top-order batsmen need to take responsibility and play responsibly if they want to succeed.
“India’s top-order batsmen need to take responsibility and play responsibly. They can’t keep relying on the lower-order batsmen to get them out of trouble. They need to be more proactive and take the game away from the opposition,” Rayudu said.
India’s bowling, on the other hand, has been a mixed bag. While Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been decent, the team’s spin bowling has been a concern. Rayudu believes that India needs to find ways to contain Santner and other New Zealand spinners.
“India’s spin bowling needs to improve significantly if they want to win the Champions Trophy. They need to find ways to contain Santner and other New Zealand spinners. It’s not just about bowling spin, but also about bowling smart and using the conditions to their advantage,” Rayudu said.
The Champions Trophy 2025 final will take place in Dubai on Sunday, and all eyes will be on the Indian team as they look to reclaim the title. With Rayudu’s words of caution ringing in their ears, the Indian team will need to be at their best if they want to emerge victorious.
As the team prepares for the big match, Rayudu’s words of wisdom are a timely reminder of the importance of caution and preparedness. With Santner, Ravindra, and Conway posing significant threats, India will need to be at their best if they want to lift the Champions Trophy.
