India has secured six ICC titles, achieving two victories in each of the three limited-overs tournaments. New Zealand has claimed the championship twice, with both of those wins occurring at the expense of India.

To avert a third consecutive defeat, India need not adopt any extravagant strategies. By adhering to the successful approach that has benefited them over the past three weeks, they should find themselves in a favorable position. However, they are acutely aware of New Zealand's capability to exploit any opportunity that may arise.

In this Champions Trophy, India has achieved victories while chasing (three times) and while defending (notably against New Zealand last Sunday). While they may have a preferred method, they are unlikely to be overly concerned if they find themselves outside their comfort zone. As the final approaches on Sunday, it is essential to consider the strategies India must employ to prevent Mitchell Santner from joining Stephen Fleming and Kane Williamson as New Zealand's ICC trophy-winning captains:

BEGIN STRONGLY, WHETHER BATTING OR BOWLING: India has experienced a streak of 14 consecutive losses at the toss, a trend that will inevitably come to an end. Nevertheless, this has not hindered their impressive 9-4 (with one tie) win-loss record since November 2023. While Rohit Sharma would prefer the chance to dictate the course of the match, it is crucial that, regardless of whether they bat first or chase a target, they remain focused from the outset. Although matches cannot be won in the initial 10 overs, they can certainly be lost during that time. A sluggish start could signal troubling times ahead, making it vital to set aside emotions and approach the challenge with composure.

EXTRACT RUNS FROM THEIR CAPTAIN: Rohit Sharma has achieved three double-hundreds; however, in recent years, he has prioritized intent over sheer volume, opting for impactful performances rather than extensive innings. Despite his aggressive style, he has managed to secure two centuries and five fifties in his last 20 innings, amassing 980 runs at an impressive strike rate of 126.45, bolstered by 110 fours and 49 sixes. While it is unlikely that Rohit will completely abandon his attacking mindset, if he can harness that aggression and bat for a minimum of 25 overs, he could effectively resolve the situation.

ENSURE KOHLI MAINTAINS HIS EXCEPTIONAL FORM: Having recently scored a half-century in his last ODI prior to the Champions Trophy, Virat Kohli has rejuvenated his reputation as a master of chases. In matches against Pakistan and in the semifinal against Australia, the former captain showcased his prowess with an unbeaten 100 and a stylish 84, respectively. He has successfully formed vital partnerships for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer in both encounters. Kohli is known for his performance in high-stakes matches, as demonstrated by his 76 in the T20 World Cup final last June, and this moment in his career is equally significant.

RUN AGGRESSIVELY, RUN FOR SURVIVAL: Scoring boundaries has proven challenging at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium due to its sand-based heavy outfield; nevertheless, India has maintained a commendable run rate of 5.30 runs per over. However, only 418 runs, or 42.2%, of their total 991 runs have been scored through boundaries. Kohli, who leads the team with 217 runs, has managed just 15 fours, accounting for only 27.7% of his total runs. Particularly during the middle overs, India must minimize dot balls. New Zealand excels at maintaining tight fielding within the circle and cutting off angles, making it essential for India to exploit gaps and consistently rotate the strike.

KANE WILLIAMSON'S INFLUENCE: Kane Williamson, the esteemed former captain of New Zealand, is undoubtedly the finest batsman his nation has ever produced, deserving of recognition alongside the legendary Martin Crowe. He posed a significant challenge to India during their league match, scoring a composed 81 before being stumped after misjudging an Axar Patel delivery. Demonstrating remarkable adaptability, Williamson altered his batting approach in the semifinal against South Africa in Lahore, where the pitch conditions were more favorable. Once again, he will be tasked with countering the Indian spin attack. India must prevent him from batting for an extended period, as his steady presence can inspire the aggressive play of Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, and Michael Bracewell.

MAINTAINING CATCHING ACCURACY: India has dropped seven catches across their four matches to date. Fortunately, they have managed to overcome these errors. In the encounter against New Zealand, they missed two opportunities to dismiss Williamson, and in the semifinal, Shami was responsible for failing to catch straightforward return chances from Travis Head and Steve Smith. As the tournament has advanced, their ground fielding has improved, with Ravindra Jadeja leading the charge, while Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer have successfully executed run-outs with direct hits. However, they cannot afford to continue dropping catches, particularly against a team like New Zealand, which, with Phillips as a key player, has a tendency to capitalize on even the slightest opportunities.

Read Also: Team India, BCCI Under Fire as Ex-PAK Pacer Calls Out ICC Champions Trophy Scheduling

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