Ex-New Zealand Pacer Drops Bold Prediction On Champions Trophy 2025 Finalists

New Zealand prepared well before the Champions Trophy 2025, earning three successive victories to claim the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa. Eight months ago, they had a terrible time in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA).

The Champions Trophy is short and sharp, giving the teams a chance to maintain their earned momentum throughout the tournament. A few teams, especially Australia and South Africa, have been dealt a few injury blows, which could give the Blackcaps a great chance to repeat their heroics of 2000.

Tim Southee desires to see these two teams in the Champions Trophy 2025 final

India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are in the same group for the event. All the teams, except India, will play two games in Pakistan and one at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium because of the Blue Brigade’s entire stay in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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The Rohit Sharma-led side will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 before they lock horns with Pakistan in the mouth-watering clash of the tournament on February 23. The last league game for the 2013 winners is against the Kiwis on March 02.

Tim Southee, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket as the leading wicket-taker for the Blackcaps with 776 scalps in 485 innings at an average of just below 30, called the Indian side a strong contender for the event. However, he won’t mind Rohit’s army to face the Kiwis in the final.

“It'd be nice. India is a strong side when it comes to world events and is always there near the end. So yeah, I'm sure they'll be a dangerous side throughout, and hopefully, New Zealand will be there as well. I hope New Zealand makes it to the final.” Southee expressed this during a recent interaction with the Times of India (TOI).

Tim Southee highlights the recent India vs New Zealand rivalry

When the Blackcaps became the Champions Trophy 2000 winners, they got the better of the Blue Brigade by four wickets during their 265-run chase as Chris Cains smashed an unbeaten 102-run knock in Nairobi.

In recent times, the Kiwis drilled the Indian side in the 2016 T20 World Cup, the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal, the 2019-2021 World Test Championship (WTC) final, and the recent home Test series whitewash for the Rohit Sharma-led side after nearly 13-years.

“It's a great tournament, with the top eight sides competing for the trophy. It's a short, sharp tournament, and it always has been. I've always enjoyed the ones I've played in. So, hopefully, New Zealand can do well in that and, I guess, add to our silverware.” Tim Southee claimed during the discussion.

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“We have a great group of players coming through or the players who have played a lot of cricket together. I think the ability to play as a team in world events, as well as in other games, is crucial. So I think, yeah, it's about the style of play we've developed and having a group of players who have spent a lot of time playing together.” The former KKR pacer elaborated.

India and New Zealand’s recent ODI form

India recently earned a 3-0 ODI series victory in the three encounters against England with ease. They outclassed the Jos Buttler-led side in all three departments, as their spinners controlled the middle overs incredibly well.

New Zealand, on the other hand, chased an average score of 243 runs against Pakistan at the National Stadium in Karachi. With five wickets in hand, they go into the event opener against the same opponent with full confidence and momentum.