Former Team India coach Ravi Shastri has picked for the Player of the Match award from both sides ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand on Sunday, March 9 as well. Shastri also said that all-rounders will have a big say in the final as he predicted Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja to do well.

Speaking on the latest episode of the ICC Review, Shastri said Glenn Phillips is a major threat for Team India, mainly due to his fielding brilliance and his ability to play a cameo and take a wicket or two as well.

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“Player of the Match, I would go for an all-rounder. I’ll say Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja from India. From New Zealand, I think that Glenn Phillips has something up. He might just 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 said.

The veteran also feels players like Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Rachin Ravindra will score big if they reach 10-15 runs as well.

“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. So from New Zealand, I would say Williamson. To an extent, Rachin Ravindra, he is a fabulous young player. But these guys when they smell the coffee and you let them, in a final, get to that 10-15, then they’re doubly dangerous,” Ravi Shastri concluded.