India Must Watch Out for Santner, Rachin & Conway in Final: Rayudu
As the India vs New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025 final approaches, former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu has cautioned the Indian team to be prepared for the Kiwi trio of Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway. The 39-year-old Rayudu, known for his astute cricketing brain, believes that Santner’s spin in the middle overs, Ravindra’s opening batting, and Conway’s all-round abilities make them potential threats for the Indian team.
The final of the Champions Trophy will take place in Dubai on Sunday, and Rayudu’s words of caution come at an opportune time, giving the Indian team a chance to regroup and plan their strategy against the Kiwis. In an interview with Sportskeeda, Rayudu spoke about the New Zealand players, highlighting their strengths and the areas where India needs to be cautious.
Firstly, Rayudu spoke about Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand spinner, who has been in fine form in the recent past. “Santner is a very good spinner, and his ability to bowl in the middle overs is exceptional. He’s got a great sense of variation, and his ability to bowl dry spells can be very frustrating for the batsmen,” Rayudu said. Santner’s ability to bowl tight and dry spells can be particularly challenging for the Indian batsmen, who have struggled against quality spin bowling in the recent past.
Rachin Ravindra, the young New Zealand opener, is another player who Rayudu believes can cause trouble for the Indian team. “Ravindra has been in good form, and his ability to bat at the top of the order is a massive plus for New Zealand. He’s got a very good temperament, and he’s not afraid to take the game away from the opposition,” Rayudu said. Ravindra’s ability to bat at the top of the order can put pressure on the Indian bowlers, and his aggressive style of play can make it difficult for the Indian fielders to settle.
Finally, Rayudu spoke about Devon Conway, the New Zealand all-rounder, who has been in fine form with both bat and ball. “Conway is a dark horse, and he can be very dangerous with both bat and ball. He’s got a very good record in the shorter formats, and he’s not afraid to take the game away from the opposition,” Rayudu said. Conway’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset for the New Zealand team, and Rayudu believes that he can be a game-changer in the final.
Rayudu’s words of caution come at an opportune time for the Indian team, which has been struggling to find its rhythm in the tournament. The team has been plagued by injuries to key players, and the absence of Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah has been felt. However, with Rayudu’s guidance, the Indian team can regroup and plan their strategy against the Kiwis.
In conclusion, Rayudu’s words of caution are a timely reminder to the Indian team to be prepared for the Kiwi trio. Santner’s spin in the middle overs, Ravindra’s opening batting, and Conway’s all-round abilities make them potential threats for the Indian team. As the Indian team prepares for the final, they would do well to take note of Rayudu’s words and plan accordingly to counter the Kiwi threat.
