Nasser Hussain's Warning to India for Champions Trophy Final: 'They May Be Defeated, But Only If...'

India is in contention for winning their second ICC title in less than a year, after their victory against South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup last year. Despite South Africa's reputation as "chokers" in big tournaments, they lost the match despite needing just 30 runs off the last five overs. Hussain believes that New Zealand may present a tougher challenge in similar situations.

“They will not bottle it, they won't choke. We were having dinner with [former Australia captain] Aaron Finch and he summed it up pretty well in saying New Zealand are never a side that beat themselves. And by that, he means that they will rock up and they will put in a performance," said Hussain on .

"All the way through the New Zealand lineup they have some very, very tough cricketers who turn up to every single game and give it their absolute best - that's why they will always be there around semi-finals and finals."

New Zealand's incredible run in Pakistan

New Zealand have been in sensational form throughout their tour of Pakistan. They were hardly challenged by South Africa and Pakistan in the tri-series that they played in the latter nation before the Champions Trophy. Within the tournament itself, they comfortably won the two group matches they played in Pakistan but lost to India by 44 runs in Dubai. They then returned to Pakistan to beat South Africa by 50 runs in the semi-final.

“They also have that great mixture between senior pros that have been there year in, year out - like Kane Williamson, one of the all-time greats - and youth in the likes of Rachin Ravindra. They may well lose [New Zealand], but if they do, it will be because India beat them,” said Hussain.

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