In the ICC Champions Trophy final, a key matchup could be between India’s Virat Kohli and New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner. Kohli has scored 217 runs in the tournament at an impressive average of over 72, while Santner has taken seven wickets at an average of 27.71. Historically, Kohli has faced Santner 16 times, scoring 180 runs at an average of 60.00 with three dismissals. However, since 2020, Kohli has struggled against left-arm spinners, averaging 33.81. Both players have excelled in the tournament, making their duel pivotal for the match outcome.
As Team India takes on New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy final, a key clash could determine the fate of the match: India’s ace batsman Virat Kohli against Kiwi captain Mitchell Santner. Both players have enjoyed outstanding campaigns in CT 2025. Virat stands as the fourth-highest scorer with 217 runs at an average exceeding 72, including one century and one fifty, while Santner has claimed seven wickets at an average of 27.71, with his best figures being 3/43.
According to ESPNCricinfo, the duel between Virat and Santner has been quite balanced. Although the 36-year-old faced significant challenges from Santner during last year’s Test series loss to the Kiwis at home, Virat boasts impressive stats against the Kiwi skipper.
The two have faced off in 16 innings, with Virat accumulating 180 runs from 259 balls, averaging 60.00 and maintaining a strike rate of 69.49. He has hit five fours and two sixes off Santner but has only been dismissed three times.
Since 2020, left-arm spinners have posed problems for Virat. He has scored 372 runs against them in 26 innings at an average of 33.81, being dismissed 11 times. He has faced 495 deliveries from left-armers and has a strike rate of 75.15, hitting only 15 fours and four sixes.
Who will come out on top in this mini-battle?
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.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Topics mentioned in this article