Not Virat Kohli! Ravi Shastri Says This Player Will Win Champions Trophy For India
The biggest surprise was Ravi Shastri's pick for the Player of the Match, with him highlighting three names that would be in contention for the prize.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has said that he thinks an all-rounder like Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel will play a match-winning role in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday, March 9.
Shastri highlighted three names that would be in contention for the Player of the Match award on the night of the final.
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India and New Zealand, both teams from Group A of the Champions Trophy, made it to the finals after beating Australia and South Africa respectively.
“Player of the Match, I would go for an all-rounder. I’ll say Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja from India," Shastri said while speaking on ICC Review.
“From New Zealand, I think that Glenn Phillips has something up. He might show flashes of brilliance in the field. He might come and smash a cameo of 40, 50 and probably surprise you by taking a wicket or two," Shastri added.
The former India head coach’s call comes on the back of Phillips’ brilliant performance in the semifinal against South Africa, where he smacked a quickfire 49 off just 27 deliveries to help New Zealand post the highest-ever total in the tournament’s history.
Shastri predicted ace India batter Virat Kohli, his New Zealand counterpart Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra to play an important role on Sunday, March 9, if their respective teams were to lift the title.
Kohli and Williamson have been in good form, with a half-century and a century each in the four games they have played.
“Now (on) current form, Kohli. When these guys get hot, and you let them get their first 10 runs, then they’re trouble. Whether it’s Williamson, whether it’s Kohli," Shastri said.
“So from New Zealand, I would say Williamson. To an extent, Rachin Ravindra is a fabulous young player," Shastri added.
Meanwhile, Indian batters on Friday honed their skill against left-arm and off-spin variations ahead of facing New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell in the tournament’s final on Sunday, March 9.
The top and middle-order batters faced the in-house spin quartet of Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar and Jadeja before taking on a bunch of local spinners.
For more in-depth coverage of the Champions Trophy, check out the latest Points Table to see where your favorite team stands. Stay updated on the tournament’s top performers with the Most Runs and Most Wickets leaderboards. Keep following for all the latest updates!
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