The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is gearing up to be a showcase of cricketing talent, with teams vying for supremacy in a tournament known for its intense battles.

Among these battles, the anticipated clash between New Zealand’s bowlers and India’s batting maestro, Virat Kohli, is one to watch, especially with India playing all their matches in Dubai.

Here’s an in-depth look at three Kiwi bowlers who might just have the edge to “trap” Virat Kohli in this prestigious tournament.

Will O’Rourke

Will O’Rourke, a rising star in New Zealand’s cricketing landscape, brings a blend of raw pace and youthful exuberance to the team.

His ability to generate bounce and swing, even on pitches that might not offer much assistance, makes him a dark horse in this tournament.

In conditions like Dubai, where the pitch can assist pace bowlers early on, O’Rourke’s strategy might involve bowling a fuller length to exploit any swing available, aiming to get Kohli into playing at balls outside off, possibly edging to the slip cordon.

O’Rourke’s relative newness to the international scene means Kohli might not have much footage to study, making him unpredictable. His approach could be to bowl at hard lengths, especially if the ball isn’t swinging, to catch Kohli off guard with some extra bounce off the slowish Dubai pitches. Kohli, known for his precision in reading the ball’s line and length, might find O’Rourke’s pace and bounce challenging if he can maintain his line and deliver with consistency. The unpredictability of a young bowler in an ICC event could be just the element needed to surprise someone of Kohli’s caliber.

Matt Henry

Matt Henry has been one of the mainstays of New Zealand’s bowling attack for several years now, known for his ability to swing the new ball and his accuracy in line and length.

In Dubai, where the ball might not swing as much as in more humid conditions, Henry’s strategy could revolve around bowling tight lines, pressuring Kohli into playing risky shots or making mistakes.

Henry’s experience in international cricket gives him an edge in understanding how to bowl to a batsman of Kohli’s stature.

His plan might include bowling fuller lengths early on to induce drives from Kohli, particularly when the ball is new and might offer some swing.

As the match progresses, Henry could revert to a back-of-a-length strategy, making it difficult for Kohli to score freely, especially if the pitch slows down.

His seam position and control over the ball’s movement could be crucial in the middle overs, where Kohli often looks to consolidate or accelerate.

Moreover, Henry’s ability to bowl effectively at the death with his variations could be key if he gets to bowl to Kohli towards the end of an innings.

His proficiency in using slower balls and yorkers could disrupt Kohli’s rhythm, particularly if he’s well-set and looking to finish the innings strongly.

Mitchell Santner

Mitchell Santner, New Zealand’s premier left-arm spinner, brings a different kind of challenge to Kohli.

With the matches in Dubai, where the pitch can assist spinners by gripping and turning as the match wears on, Santner’s role could be pivotal.

His strategy against Kohli would likely focus on bowling a good length, not allowing him to step out and hit through the line, while also mixing up his pace and flight to keep Kohli guessing.

Santner’s bowling has evolved to include more variations, like the carrom ball and the straighter one, making him unpredictable.

For Kohli, who has shown vulnerability against quality spin, especially from left-armers, Santner could employ a mix of defensive and attacking strategies.

He might bowl flatter and quicker to restrict Kohli’s ability to free his arms, or flight the ball to invite the drive, aiming for a catch or an lbw if he gets one to turn back in.

Given Kohli’s tendency to take on spinners, Santner might also look to exploit this by setting a field that encourages risky shots, with a particular focus on the leg side where Kohli has been known to sweep.

The key for Santner would be to maintain his discipline over long spells, wearing down Kohli with consistent bowling, possibly in tandem with other spinners in the lineup.

In Summary

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with its unique context of India playing in Dubai, sets the stage for intriguing battles like that between Virat Kohli and these three New Zealand bowlers.

Will O’Rourke’s raw pace, Matt Henry’s swing and seam, and Mitchell Santner‘s spin could test Kohli’s adaptability and execution.

Each bowler brings something different to the table, and their collective strategy, tailored to the conditions in Dubai, could indeed pose a significant challenge to one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era.

As fans, we can only wait with bated breath to see how these match-ups unfold in what promises to be a cricketing spectacle.