Virat Kohli's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma predicts India vs New Zealand winner of Champions Trophy 2025

Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, praised India’s all-round performance in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and he is confident that they will lift the trophy on March 9 in Dubai.

He believes that if Virat Kohli continues his current sublime form, India’s chances of winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand are extremely high.

Kohli has silenced his critics with a spectacular turnaround in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and has been the backbone of India’s batting lineup in the tournament. He was under immense pressure following his poor Test outings against New Zealand and Australia.

Virat Kohli dominantly makes comeback in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

However, after a rough patch in Test cricket and an underwhelming Ranji Trophy return, the Indian batting maestro has rediscovered his form at the perfect time and bounced back dominantly in the ICC Champions Trophy, where he is currently India’s leading run scorer.

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With 217 runs in four matches at an impressive average of over 72 and a solid strike rate of 83, Kohli is currently the fourth highest run scorer in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

He delivered the match-winning performances, including a crucial 84 against Australia in the semifinals and an unbeaten century against Pakistan in the group stage, in the tournament.

Rajkumar Sharma predicts India’s victory if Virat Kohli continues red-hot form

With Kohli leading from the front, Kohli’s childhood coach reckoned that the Men in Blue would be crowned as the Champions Trophy champions if the former Indian skipper managed to deliver yet another stunning performance in the final against the Black Caps in Dubai.

Rajkumar Sharma was quoted as saying by ANI: “I am really hopeful that Virat Kohli will continue his form and the way he is playing. If he continues to play like this, then India will definitely win this game.”

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Very confident that India will win the title: Rajkumar Sharma

The coach said that India has been playing like a strong team, and he is confident they will win the CT 2025 final against New Zealand on Sunday. Kohli’s childhood coach also praised the team's unbeaten run in the tournament and hopes they continue their top form in the final to lift the trophy in Dubai.

He signed off by saying, “It is a big match. The way India is playing in this tournament, I hope they will perform and win the final match. So far, India has won all the matches, and everyone is contributing. They are playing like a good team, so I am very confident that the team will win the title.”

Notably, New Zealand has dominated ICC knockout matches against India, winning three out of four encounters. They defeated India in the 2000 Champions Trophy final, the 2019 World Cup semifinal, and the 2023 World Test Championship final.

India's only victory came in the 2023 World Cup semifinal against the Kiwis, so they would love to turn the table in Dubai this time.