What Happened the Last Time India Faced New Zealand in a Champions Trophy Final?
After 25 long years, India and New Zealand are set to face each other in the ICC Champions Trophy final on Sunday. The 2000 edition of the tournament was played in Kenya’s Nairobi, and it was a match that will be remembered for a long time. As we gear up for the upcoming encounter, let’s take a trip down memory lane and relive the excitement of the 2000 India-New Zealand final.
The 2000 ICC Champions Trophy was the second edition of the tournament, and it was played from October 10 to 24, 2000. India, led by Sourav Ganguly, and New Zealand, led by Stephen Fleming, were two of the top teams in the tournament, and the stage was set for an intense battle.
In the final, Fleming won the toss and asked Ganguly to bat first. The Indian captain did not disappoint, as he led his team to a respectable total of 264/6 in 50 overs. Ganguly’s 117 (130) was the highlight of India’s innings, and he shared a 68-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar (69, 83) for the second wicket.
However, New Zealand’s chase was nothing short of dramatic. Chris Cairns, who was at the peak of his powers, led the Kiwi charge, scoring an unbeaten 102 (113) to take his team to the target in the last over. Cairns’ innings was a masterclass in big-game cricket, and it earned him the Man of the Match award.
The 2000 India-New Zealand final was a match that had it all – thrilling cricket, drama, and a memorable performance from Chris Cairns. It was a match that will be remembered for years to come, and as India and New Zealand prepare to face each other again in the Champions Trophy final, fans of both teams will be hoping for a repeat of the excitement and drama that was on display 25 years ago.
So, what can we expect from the upcoming match? India and New Zealand are two of the best teams in the world, and both have a rich history of producing thrilling encounters. The 2000 final was a classic example of this, and fans of both teams will be hoping for another exciting match.
India, led by Virat Kohli, will be looking to win their first Champions Trophy title since 2013, when they defeated England in the final. New Zealand, led by Kane Williamson, will be looking to win their first major ICC trophy since the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy.
The 2000 India-New Zealand final was a match that was played in a different era, with a different format and different players. However, the excitement and drama that was on display that day are still remembered fondly by fans of both teams. As India and New Zealand prepare to face each other again in the Champions Trophy final, fans of both teams will be hoping for another thrilling encounter.
In conclusion, the 2000 India-New Zealand final was a match that will be remembered for years to come. It was a match that had it all – thrilling cricket, drama, and a memorable performance from Chris Cairns. As India and New Zealand prepare to face each other again in the Champions Trophy final, fans of both teams will be hoping for a repeat of the excitement and drama that was on display 25 years ago.
