Dubai: As Team India takes on New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy final on Sunday, one key battle could shape the outcome—Virat Kohli vs Kiwi skipper Mitchell Santner.

Both players have had stellar campaigns in CT 2025. Kohli is the fourth-highest run-scorer with 217 runs at an average of 72+, including a century and a fifty. Meanwhile, Santner has been New Zealand’s spin weapon, picking up seven wickets at an average of 27.71, with best figures of 3/43.

According to ESPNCricinfo, their head-to-head battle has been evenly poised. Though Santner troubled Kohli during India’s home Test series loss last year, the Indian ace has solid numbers against the left-arm spinner.

In 16 innings, Kohli has scored 180 runs off 259 balls against Santner, averaging 60.00 with a strike rate of 69.49. He has struck five fours and two sixes but has been dismissed only three times.

With both players in top form, their duel could be the game-changer in this high-stakes final.

Since 2020, left arm spinners have restricted and troubled Virat. He has scored 372 runs off them in 26 innings at an average of 33.81, being dismissed 11 times. He has faced 495 balls against them and struck at 75.15. Just 15 fours and four sixes have been hit by Virat against left-armers.

Squads:

India Squad: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Rishabh Pant

New Zealand Squad: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke, Nathan Smith, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy. (ANI)