India Must Watch Out for Santner, Rachin & Conway in Final: Rayudu
The 2025 Champions Trophy final is just around the corner, and the excitement is palpable. The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, will face off against a strong New Zealand side, led by Kane Williamson, in Dubai on Sunday. As the teams prepare to face off, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has identified three players from the Kiwi camp that India must watch out for in the big game.
Rayudu, a 39-year-old veteran of the Indian cricket team, has played against some of the best teams and players in the world. His insights and opinions are always worth listening to, and this time, he has warned India about the threat posed by Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway.
Santner’s Spin in the Middle Overs
Rayudu’s first concern is the Kiwi spinner Mitchell Santner. Santner is known for his ability to bowl spin in the middle overs, and Rayudu believes that he could cause havoc for the Indian batting line-up. “Santner’s spin in the middle overs is something that India should watch out for,” Rayudu said in an interview. “He’s got a very good record in the Champions Trophy, and he’s been bowling well for New Zealand. He’s a bit of a mystery spinner, and he can trouble our batsmen with his variations.”
Santner has indeed been in fine form for New Zealand, taking 14 wickets in the tournament so far. His ability to bowl slow and spin the ball both ways makes him a difficult proposition for batsmen. Rayudu’s warning is well-timed, as India’s middle-order batsmen will need to be prepared to face Santner’s spin challenge.
Ravindra’s Top-Order Batting
Rayudu’s second concern is Rachin Ravindra, the 22-year-old New Zealand batter. Ravindra has been in excellent form, scoring a century and a half-century in the tournament so far. Rayudu believes that Ravindra’s ability to bat at the top of the order is a big plus for New Zealand. “Ravindra’s been playing well, and he’s got a very good record in the Champions Trophy,” Rayudu said. “He’s been opening the batting for New Zealand, and he’s been doing a great job. He’s a very confident batter, and he’s got a good game sense.”
Ravindra’s ability to bat at the top of the order has given New Zealand a solid foundation, and Rayudu believes that he could cause problems for the Indian bowling attack. India’s pace bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, will need to be at their best to dismiss Ravindra early on.
Conway, the Dark Horse
Rayudu’s third concern is Devon Conway, the 30-year-old New Zealand batter. Conway has been in excellent form, scoring a century and a half-century in the tournament so far. Rayudu believes that Conway is a dark horse, and that he could cause a lot of trouble for the Indian bowling attack. “Conway’s been playing well, and he’s got a very good record in the Champions Trophy,” Rayudu said. “He’s a bit of a dark horse, and he could cause a lot of trouble for our bowlers. He’s a very aggressive batter, and he’s got a good game sense.”
Conway’s ability to bat aggressively and take the game away from the opposition has made him a formidable batsman. Rayudu’s warning is well-timed, as India’s bowling attack will need to be prepared to face Conway’s attacking style.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Rayudu’s warning to India is clear: they must watch out for Santner’s spin in the middle overs, Ravindra’s top-order batting, and Conway’s aggressive style. The Indian team has a lot of work to do to prepare for the big game, and Rayudu’s insights are a timely reminder of the threat posed by the Kiwi team.
The final will be played in Dubai on Sunday, and it promises to be a thrilling encounter. With both teams having strong line-ups, it’s going to be a closely contested game. India will need to be at their best to lift the Champions Trophy, and Rayudu’s warning is a timely reminder of the challenges that lie ahead.
