India chasing Champions Trophy history NZ ready to scrap

BENGALURU - India are heavy favourites to claim a record third Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday but Rohit Sharmas men face a New Zealand side with plenty of firepower in the first major white-ball final between the teams in a quarter of a century.

India, who refused to play in host nation Pakistan, have produced clinical performances to win all four of their matches in the United Arab Emirates, including a 44-run group-stage victory over the Black Caps last weekend.

The 2002 and 2013 champions have excelled on pitches offering turn, while the batting group led by Virat Kohli has excelled under pressure with masterful run-chases in victories over Bangladesh, Pakistan and Australia.

India are on the verge of winning back-to-back International Cricket Council trophies following last years Twenty20 World Cup triumph but coach Gautam Gambhir is focused only on Sunday.

We still have one more game to go, he told reporters.

We know were a good one-day side. The most important thing is the way weve played throughout this competition.

The hunger, the commitment and the eagerness to try and do something special for the country is always there.

With Mohammed Shami filling in superbly for injured pacer Jasprit Bumrah, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya offering valuable batting depth, Rohit was delighted with the form of key players going into the title decider.

When you want to play in the final, you want all your guys to be in form, he said.

All of these guys have made an impact whenever theyve got an opportunity and that gives us a lot of confidence.

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Despite their flawless displays in Dubai, India will not take anything for granted against New Zealand, who beat them by four wickets in the final of the 2000 event when it was named