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India vs New Zealand Live Score, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final: Rachin Ravindra, Will Young Off to a Solid Start vs India

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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand is underway, and cricket fans around the world are glued to their screens as two of the most formidable teams in world cricket battle it out for the coveted trophy. The match, being played at a packed stadium in London, has already provided plenty of excitement, with New Zealand’s openers, Rachin Ravindra and Will Young, getting off to a solid start against a strong Indian bowling attack.


New Zealand’s Strong Start


Winning the toss, New Zealand elected to bat first, a decision that raised eyebrows given India’s formidable batting lineup. However, the Kiwi openers, Rachin Ravindra and Will Young, have justified their captain’s call with a composed and confident start. The duo has navigated the early overs with caution and precision, ensuring that New Zealand doesn’t lose early wickets, which has been a key factor in their success throughout the tournament.


Rachin Ravindra, the young all-rounder who has been one of the standout performers of the tournament, has looked in sublime touch. His ability to play both pace and spin with equal ease has been on full display. Will Young, on the other hand, has played the perfect supporting role, rotating the strike and capitalizing on loose deliveries. Together, they have built a solid foundation for New Zealand, putting the pressure back on the Indian bowlers.


India’s Bowling Attack Tested


India, known for its depth and variety in bowling, has been tested by the Kiwi openers. Jasprit Bumrah, India’s premier fast bowler, started with his usual accuracy and pace, but Ravindra and Young have managed to see off his initial spell without much damage. Mohammed Siraj, who has been in excellent form throughout the tournament, has also been kept at bay by the disciplined Kiwi batting.


The spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, were introduced early by Rohit Sharma to break the partnership. However, both Ravindra and Young have played the spinners with confidence, using their feet well and picking the gaps in the field. The Indian fielding, usually a strong point, has been put under pressure as the Kiwi openers have kept the scoreboard ticking with quick singles and the occasional boundary.


Key Moments in the Early Overs


One of the key moments in the early stages of the match came in the 8th over when Rachin Ravindra hit a beautiful cover drive off Jasprit Bumrah, signaling his intent to take on the Indian attack. Will Young, not to be outdone, followed it up with a well-timed pull shot off Mohammed Siraj in the next over, showcasing his ability to handle short-pitched deliveries.


Another crucial moment came in the 12th over when Ravindra Jadeja almost had Rachin Ravindra caught at slip, but the ball fell just short of the fielder. It was a close call, and Ravindra made sure to capitalize on the reprieve, continuing to build his innings with confidence.


The Battle of Strategies


The match has also been a fascinating battle of strategies. Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, has been proactive in his field placements and bowling changes, trying to create opportunities to break the partnership. On the other hand, New Zealand’s openers have stuck to their game plan, focusing on building a solid platform for the middle order to capitalize on later in the innings.


The pitch, which looked good for batting at the start, has shown signs of slowing down as the game progresses. This could play into India’s hands as their spinners might get more assistance in the middle overs. However, if New Zealand can maintain their current run rate and keep wickets in hand, they will be in a strong position to post a challenging total.


The Importance of the Opening Partnership


In a high-pressure final, the importance of a strong opening partnership cannot be overstated. Rachin Ravindra and Will Young have not only provided New Zealand with a solid start but have also taken the pressure off the middle order. Their partnership has laid the foundation for a potentially big total, and if they can continue in the same vein, New Zealand will be in a commanding position.


For India, breaking this partnership will be crucial. The longer Ravindra and Young stay at the crease, the more difficult it will be for India to restrict New Zealand to a manageable total. The Indian bowlers will need to find a way to break through soon, or they could find themselves chasing a daunting target in the second innings.

Looking Ahead


As the match progresses, all eyes will be on how the Indian bowlers respond to the challenge posed by the Kiwi openers. The middle overs will be crucial, and both teams will be looking to gain the upper hand. For New Zealand, the focus will be on building on the solid start and setting a target that puts pressure on the Indian batting lineup. For India, the key will be to pick up wickets at regular intervals and restrict New Zealand to a total that their strong batting lineup can chase down.


The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final is shaping up to be a thrilling contest between two evenly matched teams. With Rachin Ravindra and Will Young off to a solid start, New Zealand has the early advantage. However, with the depth and quality in the Indian team, the match is far from over. Cricket fans can expect more twists and turns as the game unfolds, making this a final to remember.

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