India Must Watch Out for Santner, Rachin & Conway in Final: Rayudu
The stage is set for the highly anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand, with the two teams gearing up to face each other in Dubai on Sunday. As the teams prepare for the big day, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has warned India about three New Zealand players who could potentially give them a run for their money.
In an exclusive interview, Rayudu named Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, and Devon Conway as the players India should “watch out” for in the final. The 39-year-old former batsman, who has been a vocal critic of India’s middle order, believes that Santner’s spin in the middle overs could cause troubles for the Indian batsmen.
“Santner is a very good spinner, and his ability to turn the ball is quite impressive. He has the capability to take wickets in the middle overs, which could be a challenge for India’s batsmen,” Rayudu said. “He has been consistent for New Zealand, and his experience in big games will definitely come in handy.”
Rayudu also warned about Ravindra’s batting prowess, particularly at the top of the order. The young left-hander has been impressive in the recent series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and Rayudu believes he could cause problems for the Indian bowlers.
“Ravindra is a very talented player, and his ability to bat at the top of the order is a big plus for New Zealand. He has the capability to take the game away from India early on, and his aggressive style of play could cause problems for the Indian bowlers,” Rayudu said.
But it’s Conway who Rayudu thinks could be the “dark horse” for New Zealand in the final. The left-handed opener has been impressive in the recent series, and Rayudu believes he has the capability to take the game away from India on his own.
“Conway is a very underrated player, and I think he could be a dark horse for New Zealand in the final. He has the ability to play both pace and spin well, and his experience in big games will definitely come in handy. He could be the difference-maker for New Zealand in the final,” Rayudu said.
Rayudu’s warning comes at a time when India’s middle order has been struggling to find form. The team has been relying heavily on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to get the runs, but the middle order has failed to deliver consistently.
India has been trying out different combinations in the middle order, but to no avail. The team will be hoping that the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav can come good in the final and provide some much-needed stability to the batting line-up.
For New Zealand, the Champions Trophy final will be a chance to avenge their defeat in the 2019 World Cup final against England. The team has been in impressive form in the recent series, and will be looking to continue their winning streak against India.
The final will be a closely contested affair, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. India will be looking to win their first Champions Trophy title, while New Zealand will be looking to win their second title after their victory in 2000.
In conclusion, Rayudu’s warning to India about Santner, Ravindra, and Conway serves as a reminder that teams should never underestimate their opponents. The three players have the capability to cause problems for India’s batsmen, and the team will need to be at their best to come out on top.
As the teams prepare for the big day, one thing is certain – the Champions Trophy final will be a thrilling affair that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. Will India be able to overcome the challenges posed by Santner, Ravindra, and Conway, or will New Zealand emerge victorious? Only time will tell.
