Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain has issued a caution to India ahead of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand, set to take place on Sunday, March 9, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Hussain highlighted New Zealand’s historical advantage over India in tournament finals, having triumphed in both previous encounters between the two teams in such high-stakes matches.

In his remarks, Hussain emphasized that New Zealand is known for their resilience under pressure. He conveyed his thoughts during an appearance on Sky Sports, stating, “They will not bottle it, they won’t choke. We were having dinner with [former Australia captain] Aaron Finch, who summarized it well by pointing out that New Zealand are never a side that beat themselves. They consistently show up and deliver a solid performance.”

Hussain further praised New Zealand’s lineup, calling them a blend of steadfast athletes, featuring both experienced players and emerging talent. “Throughout the New Zealand team, you will find tough cricketers who give their all in every match. This commitment is why they routinely reach semi-finals and finals,” he noted. The team possesses a valuable mix of seasoned professionals, like the esteemed Kane Williamson, and younger players, including promising talents like Rachin Ravindra. While Hussain acknowledged that New Zealand may lose, he asserted that if they do, it will solely be due to India’s performance.

Historically, New Zealand has bested India in ten out of their sixteen encounters in ICC events, contributing to several of India’s disappointments in critical matches. As a result, the Indian team is likely to approach this final with caution, keen to overcome past adversities against the formidable Kiwis. The clash shapes up to be an enticing contest, with both sides bringing their strengths to the fore in pursuit of cricketing glory.

Vinod Sehwag, the sibling of former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, has been taken into custody by the Chandigarh Police in a case concerning a bounced cheque amounting to ₹7 crore. Following his arrest, a local court has ordered him to remain in judicial custody.

The legal issues stem from Jalta Food and Beverages Company, where Sehwag serves as one of the directors, alongside Vishnu Mittal and Sudhir Malhotra. All three individuals face charges under the Negotiable Instruments Act. The matter came to light when Krishna Mohan, the proprietor of Shri Naina Plastic Factory in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, lodged a complaint regarding a transaction with Jalta Food and Beverages. He claimed that the company had purchased merchandise from his factory and issued a ₹7 crore cheque for payment.

Trouble arose when Mohan tried to cash the cheque at the Oriental Bank of Commerce branch in Manimajra, only to discover that it bounced due to a lack of sufficient funds in the issuing account. After this incident, Mohan decided to pursue legal action, leading to a complaint when payment was not received.

In 2022, the court labeled the three directors as fugitives after they failed to attend hearings, resulting in a police directive to file a case in September 2023. Now that Sehwag has been arrested, he has submitted a request for bail, with the hearing scheduled for March 10. It is noteworthy that he faces a staggering 174 cheque bounce cases, having applied for bail in 138 of them.

As these proceedings progress, the situation attracts significant public attention, particularly given Sehwag’s connection to the world of cricket. The forthcoming court decisions will have considerable implications, not only for Sehwag’s personal standing but also for the financial consequences associated with these serious legal challenges.

The Pakistan cricket team’s disappointing run in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked strong opinions across the cricketing world. The team, led by Mohammad Rizwan, failed to register a single win in the tournament despite playing on home soil, crashing out in the group stage. This poor performance led Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar to claim that even India’s B team could defeat Pakistan. However, former Pakistan coach Jason Gillespie has strongly disagreed with this assertion.

Gillespie brands Gavaskar’s comments ‘absolute nonsense’

Responding to Gavaskar’s remarks, Gillespie dismissed the notion that India’s second-string squad could beat Pakistan. He defended the team’s potential, emphasizing the importance of continuity and player development.

“I don’t buy this rhetoric. I saw some comments from Sunil Gavaskar about the Indian B team or Indian C team would beat the Pakistan top team. That’s nonsense. Absolute nonsense. If Pakistan pick and stick with the right players and give them time to shine and, time to learn and develop their games, they can beat anyone. I’ve got no doubt about that,” said Gillespie.

Gavaskar stands by his claim

In contrast, Gavaskar had earlier expressed confidence that India’s B team could comfortably beat Pakistan in their current form, though he was less certain about the C team.

“I think a B team (from India) certainly (can give Pakistan a run for their money). C team, I am not too sure. But a B team will be very, very hard to beat for Pakistan in their current form,” said Gavaskar.

More changes expected in Pakistan cricket

Pakistan cricket has seen frequent changes in recent years, from captaincy shuffles to selection panel overhauls and board restructuring. The latest failure at the Champions Trophy is likely to trigger another round of changes as the team struggles to regain its lost form.