Ravichandran Ashwin picks game-changer player for Champions Trophy final and it’s not Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli

Ravichandran Ashwin named Shreyas Iyer as the game-changer for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand.

Ravichandran Ashwin picks game-changer player for Champions Trophy final and it’s not Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli

Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted Shreyas Iyer's abilities as a 'game changer', in the upcoming Champions Trophy final. (via Asianet)

Ex-Indian spinner and World Cup winner Ravichandran Ashwin surprisingly predicted Shreyas Iyer to be the game-changer, in the 2025 Champions Trophy final. Ashwin reckoned that Iyer’s form was also behind Kohli’s success in the tournament, in the middle overs India.

India will face off New Zealand in the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Stadium, after having dominated their way through the competition. The Men in Blue have enjoyed a 100 percent winning record in the Champions Trophy. They beat Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Kiwis in the group stages, followed by a crucial semi-final victory over Australia.

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The Indian team’s success this term has been credited to veteran batter Virat Kohli‘s impressive form, with the 36-year-old having scored 217 runs in four matches till now. However, Kohli’s performances have overshadowed Shreyas Iyer’s crucial knocks. The Mumbai skipper has also been a standout performer at the number four position, and is also the team’s second-highest run-getter behind Kohli.

While Shreyas Iyer might not have got a century or a Player of the Match award, his displays have also been the talk of the town. Showering praise on right-handed batsman, Ravichandran Ashwin stated that Iyer deserves praise for having partnered with Kohli in crucial situations. Moreover, Ashwin also went on to claim that the 30-year-old could be the biggest game-changer, heading into the final.

For me, the game-changer will be Shreyas Iyer. It is because of his recent form. The way he plays, it helps Virat Kohli… Kohli is able to play the way he is playing because Shreyas is playing this way against spin.

Ravichandran Ashwin on Shreyas Iyer (H/T NDTV Sports)

Ashwin, who most recently retired, also heaped praise on Iyer’s abilities to play spin and short balls well, while highlighting his role in maintaining stability in India’s batting order. Nonetheless, the two batters will be hoping to continue with their great form, when India steps into the final.

Ravichandran Ashwin eyes Kane Williamson-Ravindra Jadeja duel in upcoming Champions Trophy final

2013 Champions Trophy winner Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that he is expecting a face-off between Kane Williamson and Ravindra Jadeja, in the upcoming CT final.

Ravichandran Ashwin on Williamson-Jadeja
Ravichandran Ashwin views Kane Williamson-Ravindra Jadeja’s clash as the most fascinating one. (via Sports Tak)

Labeling Williamson’s battle with Jadeja as the most fascinating one, Ashwin pointed out how the Kiwi batter changes his batting technique to tackle Jadeja’s bowling. He also compared the battle between the two players as that of Tom and Jerry, and added that the contest could decide the outcome of the final. Ashwin praised Jadeja’s unique left-arm bowling, stating that batters find him difficult to play.

Williamson wants to get on top of Jadeja. On the other hand, Jaddu too varies his length and speed… They are like Tom and Jerry in the middle. This contest can decide the outcome of the game.

R. Ashwin on Kane Williamson-Ravindra Jadeja clash (H/T Indian Express)

In nine ODI matches, Williamson has scored 159 runs against Jadeja, falling to him twice. Meanwhile, Indian spinners have been the key in the Champions Trophy, with Jadeja, Varun Chakravathy, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav having scalped a combined 21 wickets till now.