Team India is unbeaten in so many matches before the final, but New Zealand's record is very strong

India is set to take on New Zealand in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai on Sunday, a look at the history before this match will reveal many exciting matches, which have kept a place in the minds of the fans for years. Team India has entered the competition as a favorite, as it has won seven consecutive ODIs before the final, but its record against New Zealand in the final of ICC tournaments tells a different story.

Regarding international cricket knockout encounters, New Zealand has a lead against India by a margin of 3-1. India and New Zealand have already faced each other in the Champions Trophy 2025 once, and India came out on top by a margin of 44 runs in a group match. A five-wicket haul by Varun Chakravarthy shattered Kiwi batsmen and proved India's dominance on spin-friendly pitches. Now, let's have a look at what has occurred in earlier ICC Knockout encounters.

The first major ICC final between these two teams took place in the 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy (now Champions Trophy). New Zealand defeated India in a closely contested match to win their first and only ICC white-ball title. Chris Cairns played a brilliant innings, scoring a century to guide the Black Caps to a four-wicket win, leaving India heartbroken.

New Zealand once again dashed India's hopes in a match that went on for two days due to rain. The Kiwis posted a modest 239 at Old Trafford thanks to excellent bowling led by Matthew Henry and Trent Boult. India's top order collapsed soon after and the Men in Blue lost by 18 runs despite brilliant batting from Ravindra Jadeja (77) and MS Dhoni (50).

New Zealand continued their dominance in the ICC finals as they defeated India in a rain-affected match in Southampton to win the inaugural ICC World Test Championship. Kane Williamson's 52* and Ross Taylor's unbeaten 47 powered the Black Caps to an eight-wicket win, cementing their position as India's nemesis in knockout matches.

India finally managed to break the myth of knockouts against New Zealand in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli's record-breaking centuries and Mohammed Shami's brilliant seven-wicket haul helped India win by 70 runs in Mumbai.

If India win, it will not only be their third Champions Trophy title but they will also take 25-year-old revenge by defeating New Zealand in a major international final. Moreover, the win will also make them the only three-time winners of the Champions Trophy, surpassing Australia. The final will be played in Dubai, where successful chases in night matches are common. India's dominance, coupled with their array of spin options makes them favorites, but New Zealand's performance in ICC events ensures that anything can happen in the match.