Former India head coach Ravi Shastri described India as a strong contender in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand on Sunday but said that the advantage will not be much because New Zealand is a very strong team. The Indian team played all its matches in Dubai and reached the final by winning all of them. India defeated Australia in the semi-finals.

Ravi Shastri spoke in the ICC review.

The New Zealand team finished second after India in Group A, which India defeated in the league stage. New Zealand defeated South Africa in the semi-finals in Lahore. Former India head coach Shastri said in 'The ICC Review', 'If any team can beat India, it is New Zealand. India is a strong contender but there is not much advantage.'

'Glenn Phillips will be the X factor'

India and New Zealand also faced each other in the 2000 Champions Trophy final in which New Zealand won by four wickets. 62-year-old Shastri mentioned four New Zealand players who can change the course of the final. He described Rachin Ravindra as extremely talented while praising Kane Williamson's 'stability and saintly calmness'. He called captain Mitchell Santner an intelligent captain and Glenn Phillips the 'X factor' of the team.

'Virat Kohli can be a game changer'

Shastri described Virat Kohli's current form as a 'game changer', while also praising Williamson for his good performance in crucial moments. He said, 'Talking about Kohli's current form, if such players are allowed to score the first ten runs, then they play long later. Be it Williamson or Kohli. For New Zealand, I would say Williamson. To some extent, Ravindra too, is a brilliant young player.'

Shastri praised Rachin-Williamson

25-year-old Ravindra has scored five centuries in ICC 50-over tournaments and is the youngest player to do so. Shastri said, 'I like the way he moves in the crease. He bats fluidly and has many strokes. Centuries are not scored in big tournaments just like that. He is extremely talented.' About Williamson, he said, 'He is very stable and calm. He is very serious about his work. He is like a saint as if he is meditating. People believe in big shots but he takes the innings forward with flow. Joe Root, Williamson, Kohli, all of them have amazing footwork.'

Shastri also praised Santner's captaincy.

Praising Santner, he said, 'He is very smart and he is enjoying captaincy. He is benefiting from this as a batsman, bowler, and as a cricketer.' Shastri also said that the Player of the Match will be an all-rounder. He said, 'It can be Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja from India and Glenn Phillips from New Zealand.'

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