India Must Watch Out for Santner, Rachin & Conway in Final: Rayudu
The highly anticipated final of the 2025 Champions Trophy is just around the corner, with India set to take on New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. As the teams gear up for the showdown, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has warned his country about the Kiwis’ potent trio – Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway.
In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Rayudu emphasized the importance of these three players in the final, highlighting their potential to cause trouble for the Indian team. “India should definitely watch out for these three players,” Rayudu said. “Santner’s spin in the middle overs can be very tricky, Ravindra’s batting at the top can cause problems, and Conway is a potential dark horse.”
Rayudu’s words of caution come as a stern warning to the Indian team, which has been struggling to deal with the spin threat posed by Santner. The New Zealand left-armer has been in excellent form, and his ability to extract turn and bounce from even the most docile of surfaces has made him a nightmare for batsmen.
Santner’s success has been largely due to his ability to adapt to different conditions. He has shown the ability to change his pace and angle to keep batsmen guessing, and his experience of playing in the Indian subcontinent will come in handy in the Champions Trophy final.
Ravindra, on the other hand, has been impressive with the bat, particularly in the opening slot. His ability to accelerate the scoring rate and play shots on both sides of the wicket has made him a valuable asset for the Kiwis. India’s pace attack, which has been woefully short of rhythm in the tournament, will need to be at its best to contain Ravindra’s aggressive style.
Conway, meanwhile, has been a revelation for New Zealand. The 31-year-old opener has shown immense maturity and calmness in big games, and his ability to rotate the strike and play dot balls has made him a perfect foil for Ravindra. Conway’s record in the Champions Trophy is impressive, with three half-centuries in as many matches, and he will be looking to add to that tally in the final.
Rayudu’s assessment of these three players is not without merit. India has struggled to deal with the Kiwis’ top-order batting in the tournament, and Santner’s spin has been a major factor in their success. Ravindra’s aggressive style has caused problems for the Indian bowlers, and Conway’s calmness has allowed him to play the anchor role to perfection.
For India, the key will be to contain Santner’s spin and restrict Ravindra’s aggressive batting. Conway, meanwhile, will need to be kept quiet early on to prevent him from getting settled. The Indian bowling attack, which has been underwhelming in the tournament, will need to find its rhythm and accuracy to contain these three players.
In conclusion, Rayudu’s warning to India about Santner, Ravindra, and Conway is a timely reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in the Champions Trophy final. India will need to be at its best to overcome the Kiwis, and the performance of these three players will go a long way in determining the outcome of the match.
