India are heavy favourites to claim a record third Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday but Rohit Sharma's 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.

Axar has also backed up his promotion with handy contributions. Against Australia, Axar chipped in with a knock of 27. However, his best innings came against New Zealand, in India's final group game. With India struggling at 30/3 inside the first seven overs, Axar played a timely 42 to take India towards safety.

The surface for the Champions Trophy final will be the same one that was used for the Group A league fixture between India and Pakistan on February 23. As with most pitches, it is expected to be slow and sluggish, offering definitive assistance to the spinners and the Indian team should not mind this.