According to Nasser Hussain, India defeated South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, but New Zealand will be a far harder team to defeat.
In the 2025 Champions Trophy, India will play New Zealand twice. The first game was essentially a rubber, but the second match will determine the winner. Over the past ten or so years, India and New Zealand have been among the leading challengers for cricket’s major championships, and former England captain Nasser Hussain has stated that the Kiwis are not to be taken lightly.
India, who defeated South Africa in the T20 World Cup final last year, has a chance to capture a second ICC trophy in less than a year. Despite requiring just 30 runs to win off the final five overs of the match, South Africa, who are still working to overcome the deplorable reputation of being “chokers” when they play in major tournaments, had lost. According to Hussain, in those circumstances, New Zealand will most likely be more difficult to defeat.
They won’t choke, they won’t bottle it. Aaron Finch, the former captain of Australia, summed it up quite nicely when he told us over dinner that New Zealand is never a team that beats itself. “And by that, he means that they will perform and rock out,” Hussain stated on Sky Sports. “All the way through the New Zealand lineup they have some very, very tough cricketers who turn up to every single game and give it their absolute best – that’s why they will always be there around semi-finals and finals.” During their tour to Pakistan, New Zealand has been exceptional. In the tri-series they played in Pakistan prior to the Champions Trophy, they almost faced little opposition from South Africa or Pakistan. Although they lost to India by 44 runs in Dubai, they easily won both of their group matches in Pakistan throughout the event. They then went back to Pakistan and won the semi-final by a score of 50 runs over South Africa.Additionally, they have a fantastic blend of young players like Rachin Ravindra and seasoned pros like Kane Williamson, who has been there year after year. “If they lose [New Zealand], it will be because India defeated them,” Hussain remarked.
