Will Matt Henry Miss the CT 2025 Final? New Zealand Captain Mitchell Santner Offers Important Update

With the eagerly awaited Champions Trophy 2025 final on the horizon, all attention is now focused on New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry, who has been struggling with a shoulder soreness. As the Kiwis look to lift their first ICC ODI title since their win in the 2000 KnockOuts Trophy, captain Mitchell Santner remains hopeful but accepts the task at hand. During a Saturday press conference, Santner discussed the team's preparations, the anticipated conditions of play, and the uncertainty over Henry's availability for the final.

New Zealand's Big Challenge-Playing India in the Final

New Zealand's journey to the final has been remarkable but now face their most challenging test in the form of an in-form Indian team. India's familiarity with conditions works in their favor, and the match becomes that much more difficult for the Black Caps. "We know India are going to be a challenge. They've been playing some very good cricket. They understand these conditions pretty well," santner said, underlining the level of difficulty of the forthcoming game.

Though, Santner opines that New Zealand's encounter with India during the league phase will be of help. "Having played them a few days back will surely help us familiarize ourselves with the conditions better. But at the end of the day, it's a knockout match, and whoever performs on the day will take the trophy back home," he stated.

Pitch Conditions-Adaptability Will Be Key

The last is going to be contested on the same surface that India used in its group-stage match against Pakistan. Santner pointed out the need to be adaptable, considering the patchy nature of the pitch. Spin was an important factor in the last match, particularly in the second innings. New Zealand captain expects India to stick with the same squad, but he is ready for any twist that the pitch could provide.

We encountered a good side on a turning track the last time out, particularly in the second innings. We expect India to likely play the same combination, but we have to be prepared for any change in the surface. Being flexible is going to be very important," he said.

Handling India's Spin Threat

One of New Zealand's biggest worries is how to deal with India's strong spin attack, especially mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy. The leg-spinner destroyed them in their previous meeting, taking five wickets. Santner was confident that his batsmen have learned from their past experience and will be better prepared to deal with Chakravarthy's variations.

I believe the guys will be more ready for Varun this time. He's a world-class bowler, and we've witnessed his abilities in the IPL too. The first time a few of our players played against him, it was an experience. We've watched more of his bowling footage before the final," Santner said.

New Zealand has closely analyzed Chakravarthy’s bowling style, especially his deceptive 115 km/h arm ball, which proved to be a serious threat in the previous match. “We now understand what his key weapons are. His arm ball got me last time, and it was definitely a challenge. But we’re working on countering that threat,” Santner added.

Matt Henry’s Fitness Concerns-Will He Play the Final?

In the middle of all the strategic debate, one of the greatest points of discussion is still the fitness of star pacer Matt Henry. The veteran fast bowler has been carrying a shoulder complaint, leaving his availability for the final uncertain. Santner confirmed that a call on Henry's participation would be taken after his condition was checked in the final practice.

"We're going to head for practice in a little while, and Matt will have a bowl to gauge his fitness. Then we'll make a decision on whether he'll be available to play in the final," said the captain of New Zealand.

Henry's unavailability may come as a major setback for the Kiwis since his speed and experience give them an added advantage in pressure games. If he is out, New Zealand may be forced to revise their bowling approach and shuffle their lineup accordingly.

The High-Stakes Final-Who Will Step Up to the Plate?

With everything on the line, the final of the Champions Trophy 2025 is set to be an exhilarating competition between two strong teams. India will depend on their thorough understanding of the conditions and their balanced team, while New Zealand will count on their toughness and capacity to deliver when it matters most. The uncertainty of Henry's availability provides another element of surprise to already-exciting hype.

As both teams finalize their strategies, one thing is certain—the side that adapts better to the conditions and holds their nerve under pressure will emerge victorious. Cricket fans worldwide eagerly await what promises to be a gripping showdown in the quest for ODI supremacy.