New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has won the toss and elected to bat first in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final. The match is being played on the same pitch that hosted the high-voltage India-Pakistan encounter earlier in the tournament. New Zealand has made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Nathan Smith in place of Matt Henry. Meanwhile, India has stuck with their winning combination from the semifinals.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma mentioned that he, too, would have opted to bat first, emphasizing that winning the toss provides confidence in such a high-stakes match. Both teams appear evenly matched on paper, boasting deep batting line-ups, strong all-rounders, and quality spin options. However, India might have a slight edge due to their familiarity with the conditions.

That said, New Zealand has historically troubled India in ICC tournaments, and they will be eager to maintain their dominance on the big stage. Memories of the 2000 Champions Trophy final—where New Zealand defeated India to lift their only ICC title—still linger. Can the Black Caps repeat history after 25 years, or will India, fresh off their T20 World Cup triumph, secure another major white-ball trophy?

With the stakes at an all-time high, both teams will need to hold their nerve under immense pressure. The atmosphere is electric, and fans worldwide are bracing for an unforgettable contest. Stay tuned as the final showdown unfolds!